Now: I've only ever developed by coding in eclipse, then uploading files via FTP to a domain. (Then I see the changes just by visiting the domain.)

I now this is probably a shitty way to do this. How should I be doing this? How can I develop even when I don't have internet? (In other words, how can I run/try website code without FTP/internet?)

Please be as detailed and creative as you'd lke.