lost records and backup

[Harry_38]

Somehow I lost some 50 records in a table, all records are of the same date. I asked the provider of MySql backen db to give me a backup of the dB. They sent me: full backup of the database as like on the server.
I don't how to open that file. The provider could also send me a dump file, whatever that is. I would like to see what caused the dissapearance of the records or, if that is not possible, I would like to copy the missing records (if they are on the backup) and paste them into my present MySql dB.
Fortuantely I have a pdf report with the missing records.
Can anybody help me.

 

[SQL_Hell]

Do you have Windows or Unix?

Porbably difficult to work why the 50 records are missing, maybe you deleted them??

You should be able to open the backup file with a text editor, if it's created through mysqldump then it will just be a series of create table statements and insert statements

 

[Harry_38]

I work with Windows. Opening the file with wordpad shows no readable file. Can't open it with access or excel

 

[SQL_Hell]

What's the file format?

 

[Harry_38]

It was a mistake in one of the queries that made me believe that records were lost. Thanks SQL_Hell for the help.
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