Dumping the MySQL structure for only certain tables

NOTE: These notes are in the process of being turned into a script that will work for shared-table multisite installations as well as regular Drupal sites.

mysql structure only certain tables

http://www.datanamic.com/support/mysqldump.html

mysqldump [OPTIONS] database [tables]
OR mysqldump [OPTIONS] --databases [OPTIONS] DB1 [DB2 DB3...]
OR mysqldump [OPTIONS] --all-databases [OPTIONS]

-no-data, -d

Do not write any table row information (that is, do not dump table contents). This is very useful if you want to dump only the CREATE TABLE statement for the table.

for backup and restore of all MyISAM table databases:
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/mysqlhotcopy.html

cache
cache_filter
cache_menu
cache_page
sessions
watchdog

mysqldump -d

for a way to FTP them offsite:
http://crazytoon.com/2007/01/23/mysql-backups-using-mysqldump/

unix how to register commands
path to script

http://www.wlug.org.nz/bash(1)Part6

all in one, BASH command line options:
http://www.linux-sxs.org/programming/bash.html

Here's the entire man page in one go:
http://bama.ua.edu/cgi-bin/man-cgi?bash