This is just a simple script I put together to backup a MySQL database. It's mainly designed to be run as a cron job, but can be run manually too.
Edit the config.php file, adding your database connection details. Decide whether you want the backups emailed to you, or stored on the server, or both.
Then simply run the database_backup_script.php either through your web browser or via a cron job.
Here's an example cron command:
/path/to/your/folder/;/usr/bin/php -q database_backup_script.php