Best PHP Workflow [closed]

Question

I'm wondering what the best way to work with PHP web pages in Eclipse.

For instance, what I normally do is create a project with remote links to the files on the server. This way I can make changes->save them->and instantly see the effects in a browser.

However, this method does not allow me to commit the remote files to SVN. I could have a local working copy checked-out from SVN; then copy/export the files to the server every time I made a change, but that gets annoying fast.

My question is what is you workflow or method for working/debugging/testing/committing PHP projects in Eclipse?

Answer 1

Be sure you create your project local first. Commit it to a local server with SVN. The way you are uploading your files directly to the remote server is very dangerous. Every time you do a save of your file, it becomes possible to upload bugs. Be sure to follow this or a similar way:

• work local
• test local
• merge with local SVN (other people working on this project will commit their code in this same branch)
• test the branch before uploading to remote server.

now you are sure to upload a correct version of your file.

• try to insert automatic unit tests
• take a look at tags, branches and trunks (to work correctly)

in the first few weeks you will create a lot of versions but after a while you will start to bundle your bugs into 1 update every week (or something like that)

for automation on deployement, take a look at rsync, ant... . There are some hosting companies like Servergrove that support you very nicely in the deployement process...