Actually, I have a more fundamental question. When I hook up a database to the application on the development machine, I expect that I am hooking in a database on that same machine. Or is it expecting the database that the live website is contacting? I am just a bit cofused about the architecture here.

It seems like I am forced to use MySQL, which is difficult because the website is running in Microsoft Azure, where I have databases a plenty to use. I could spin up a MySQL database but it will cost me - my existing SQL Azure ones are free (or at least already paid for).

But how does everyone else do this? How do they structure the configuration for build, develop and test but then provide a switch-over to production for the puplished live site? The settings area provide for multiple databases and connections but I don't see how to switch between live and deverlopment.

Hello.You can use a database located on a local or remote server.
For testing, I use either the Open Server Panel or XAMPP.After testing, I transfer the database from the local server to the hosting (live mode).

Ok, cool - just a shame I have to use MySQL.