Redirect mysql server using /etc/hosts

Hi,

I have a PHP script that runs on my Webserver and connects to my MySQL server. So far nothing special.

But for code development I have a local copy of my script and of my database on my laptop.

But now the address of the MySQL server in my PHP script points to the wrong direction. It still points to

my Web-MySQL-Server (e.g. mysql.example.org) but my development MySQL server runs on localhost.

Of course I could simply change the PHP script and change the name of the server, but than I have to remember

to do this every time I up or download the script.

Therefor, I tried to redirect the MySQL server DNS name in the file /etc/hosts

mysql.example.org localhost

That would be no problem for me because I never connect the server directly from my laptop (only through scripts

that run on the remote Webserver).

Unfortunately this does not work and I do not understand why.

If I change the server name in the script everything works fine.

If I change the /etc/hosts file the script says it could not connect to the server.

I hope you can help me to understand what I did wrong.

Thanks a lot and best regards,

Michael