Disk Utility - Is "Restore" also a backup?

There is a button in Disk Utility:Restore that lets me choose a source volume and destination volume to "Restore" from. I actually use it to back up my entire computer to an external hard drive. Macintosh HD is my source, a partition on my Maxstor HD is my destination. (Note, I have never needed to do the operation in reverse, fortunately).
Is it ok to use it this way? Why does Apple call it "Restore" if you can use it just as well to backup?

Actually, it can be used to clone a drive. So if your startup volume goes haywire, or you installed an update recently:) that is messing with your system you can to it in the reverse and restore the startup from the backup...
Because they have a Backup.app...but you need a .Mac acct and it is a proper name it will restore a drive or partition to whatever the source volume is....
I use it for Disk images to HD a lot....You could actually do it with your install disc to a partition so your install discs won't be lost when traveling or corrupted by poor handling and over use.
Cheers, Glynn

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