I use a free software called PHP Editor. And Notepad. I used to use Dreamweaver, but don't use it anymore. This is a lot simpler for me.

I use PHP MyAdmin for my MySQL db, which comes as part of my host's cPanel set-up for my account.

I do my personal sites with a "live sandbox" on my server account -- basically a "deep" folder that's live. I can make my changes in real-time, and then when it's ready for prime-time (so to speak) just move it to where it's supposed to be.

HTH,