Offline Development Questions

[turbosatan]

Hi

I need the answer to what is probably a simple question.

I have setup xampp so that i can develop my site on my pc and check/test new mods and ideas etc. but i do not know how to then transfer onto the live site.

i figure that i just need to transfer all the files keeping the structure onto the live server but what do i do about database changes?

Some of the mods i will be installing etc will make changes to the DB but the live one will obviously contain new posts etc so will be more up to date than the development DB

Can the more learned developers please let me know how you develop and release new changes to your sites.

Thank you

T