Web development environment for PHP using Eclipse and Subversive

Web development environment for PHP using Eclipse and Subversive

Although there are a lot of questions related to this topic, most (if not
all) of the answers that were provided were either too generic, or not
simple enough for me to understand. Keep in mind that I have still a lot
to learn. Hence, I would appreciate a detailed answer / suggestion.
One of the project that I am assigned consists of maintaining a web
application. The application itself is quite old and consists of multiple
HTML and PHP files that interact with a database. The files are located in
a sub folder of a web server. The application is used by a small team
(<50) and can be used online (by going to
http://[Server_IP]/[path_to_root]/index.php)
As for now...
I would like to set up a good development environment for PHP using
Eclipse (along with some plugins like PDT and Subversive). Two scenarios
came to my mind. I would like to know which one is feasible and
preferable, along with a short description of how to achieve it. If you
have a better approach, feel free to share it with me !
1: Using this scenario, I would checkout the files (from a remote
repository located on the server) and make my changes locally. I would
then simply commit the changes on the live server. Now, the problem that I
am facing if I use this scenario :
How to create a remote repository on the server
How to configure subversive in Eclipse to checkout from that remote
repository
How can I test my changes locally (without committing) ?
2: Using this scenario, I would create a (local) repository and import the
whole website into it. I would then run it locally in a WAMP environment.
After committing my changes (locally), I would then upload the
corresponding files back to the live server as necessary.
Which solution is better ? What are the pros/cons ? Scenario 2 looks
easier to set up for me. Is there another solution that I did not think of
?
Thanks in advance,