MySQL Database backup

I tried find a solution to backup a mysql database using php but i didn't find anything but the binary file transfer solution (just open and binary copy all the files in my database directory). But this is not a desired solution because it involves some security holes that I cannot afford. Can anyone tell me where can i learn more about this? Or some simple :) and security holes free solution? Thanks all. Alex Sofronie maxx@mail.dntis.ro