What does a backup contain?

I've searched the forums, but couldn't find the answer to this question. What does a backup contain? Specifically, I want to know if it contains contacts and calendar items. So, if I don't use Outlook, Entourage, etc., then I would not need to sync those items because they are already backed up in the iTunes backup. Does this make sense?

I did see that article on backups and restores, Jennifer B., but it didn't seem too conclusive on the issue. Because it didn't give an authoritative list, but said SOME information is backed up and listed a few of those items (it seemed, to me, to be hinting at more items being backed up). Maybe I'm being picky here where it may be clear enough and it simply doesn't backup contacts and calendar items.
However, I did find an article online where someone had converted the backup file for iTunes/iPhone into SQL and here is the listing of tables: http://www.uninnovate.com/iphonebackup_filelist.txt
Within that is a calendar and address book. Now, that doesn't actually mean that those tables are storing the contact information, but at the time I thought it would be evidence of that. (The main article is: http://www.uninnovate.com/2007/07/11/dear-iphone-give-me-my-data/)
So, you guys are the experts, if you can say assuredly that contacts and calendar items are not backed up in the iTunes backup, then so be it. I'll start syncing.
Thoughts?

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What does a backup contain?

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