Best way to copy a database (SQL Server 2008)

Question

Dumb question - what\'s the best way to copy instances in an environment where I want to refresh a development server with instances from a production server?

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Answer 1

Its hard to detach your production dB or other running dB's and deal with that downtime, so I almost always use a Backup / restore method.

If you also want to make sure to keep your login's in sync check out the MS KB article on using the stored proc sp_help_revlogin to do this.