Is This Possible? (Database - PHP)

Hey there guys, I have a slight problem which i could not solve via Java servlets and now that I am migrating to PHP I was wondering if its possible... I am hosting with a company that has given me a database (MySql) I am using the database for all my apps which are only being accessed via my servlets....... I want to change that and convert all my servlets to PHP. Being new to PHP i am sure to make a lot of mistakes and instead of uploading my PHP page, getting errors/ redoing it, uploading etc I was kinda hoping i could connect to the remote database via my local machine? I already have PHP installed on my machine..... on the remote host the details are Localhost jimmy*** (Username) gunsand***** (Password) umace_com (Database name) Is this possible? Any help and comments appreciated. Cheers, -Ryan /* Whats the difference between the pope and your boss? The pope only wants you to kiss his ring! */