My question is that each time I make a change to the client side code, i must go through the build process to get minified code and then deploy to htdocs dir on my apache web server.
Based on the way you worded it, I am not sure if you are questioning the need for minification , the need for putting files into Apache or the need for a build process at all.
A formal build process is a part of any software engineering environment. Maybe it seems like a waste if all it does is minify, but what if you add unit tests or jshint validations? Using a build tool is a powerful way to integrate all of this into a simple "click here to build" type process. It also helps with quality because it ensures that everything is repeatable.
What i don't understand is why does this need to happen, and if there
is an easier way that i can develop both components without deploying
the client side code. The lead developer is on vacation to get my
questions answered.
I recommend speaking with your lead developer. Whatever desire you have to simplify your environment and processes can wait a week until he or she returns.
What is the problem with building and deploying? Building should consist of minifying and possibly testing. Deploying is probably file copies. Do you not have it scripted? Use a build tool like ant with a script that handles all of this for you so it just works. I have had terrible experience with using Eclipse to build my software and have it manage Tomcat. Others swear by it.
You should just talk with your lead and then come up with a solution that works for the both of you (assuming the team is just the two of you).
Also, what editor is good for using on client side code that uses a lot of jquery, handlebars etc. would prefer a wyswig editor.
I recommend Notepad++ for Windows and TextMate on Mac OS X. A WYSIWYG editor will probably be ineffective for what you are doing. How can you apply WYSIWYG to jQuery?
