How should I view file changes on a testing server?

[SiHoop]

How are people viewing their files when they are ready to test their work? Importantly, my file is pulling data from a database.

In the past, I used F12 to send a file to a testing server. From there, my file could interact with a mySQL database and I could test my code. With DW2017, pressing F12 either opens a file in localhost or as a file(i.e. file:///C:/Users/...), but the file cannot interact with the mySQL database. To do so, I have to access the changed file on the testing server (i.e. have a browser open then refresh the browser using F5).

Is there a better way?

[BenPleysier]

[SiHoop]

Unfortunately this does not open the file on the server. Only in localhost.

[pziecina]

To interact with a file on the server, you will have to type in the web address to it in your browser.

[SiHoop]

This is  what I suspect is the correct answer-- can anyone confirm?

[Rob Hecker2 · Accepted solution]

It sounds like you are using a three environment workflow. Local system for development, testing server, and live server. I think most of us combine the first two--we use a webserver installed on our local computer to make the development and testing environments the same. You can also replicate your database in your local environment.

You can even use the Operating system and web server to create virtual hosts to simulate domain names on your local machine. For instance, if I have a website called thewebsite.com, typing just "thewebsite" in my browser opens the local version.

You asked for confirmation that. . .

To interact with a file on the server, you will have to type in the web address to it in your browser.

If you want to interact with the html and php pages the way a website visitor would, then yes, except that you could alternatively use the ip address, something like this:

http://12.12.247.35/~accountusername