Isn't there any way via the API to generate the same output as Special:Export?
What query string can generate the same output as dumpBackup.php --current?
OK, just for all pages in one Namespace.
OK, just for all pages matching some prefix string. Or just for even one page.
And what query string can take the same input as Special:Import to import pages?
Don't worry. The wiki involved only has a handful of pages.
Anyway, how could the mighty API lack the features of Special:Export, whose user interface requires cutting and pasting.