how to test ports before submission?

[Fernan Aguero]

Hi!

Perhaps this is a FAQ, but I've been unable to find a
satisfactory answer.

I want to install a port which is not yet in the ports tree,
(i.e. it will not be in the INDEX either) and I do not want
pkgdb, portupgrade, etc. to complain.

I always test the port by installing in another PREFIX, and
registering itself in a mock (empty) PKG_DBDIR. But once it
builds and installs fine, and before submission, I would
like to use it for a while. That is, install it in my usual
PREFIX (/usr/local) and register it in /var/db/pkg.

Is this possible? (I mean, without having to edit
pkgtools.conf and perhaps other files each time)

Thanks,

Fernan

PS: or perhaps just want to know how other porter's deal
with this :)