JavaScript(ing) - A Discussion Perhaps

[TheExcession]

I haven't had to write any 'real' JavaScript for about 10 years, now however I'm currently developing a Web Application that is using heaps of JavaScript.

I have about 8 modules all running at about 4-5 thousand lines long.
There's lots of AJAX calling PhP and then interfacing to MySQL.

We're developing an Application that runs in a Browser often using 5 or more data grid controls, from these guys
(Nice Grid Control)
with lots of event handling, for inserting, editing data rows, all done at the client side until the final commit.

One thought I've come accross is the fact that this code is starting to bloat in terms of size. Especailly because on top of 4-5 thousand lines of code my code base is normally about 40% comments to 60% code (I need to pass this onto junior programmers later and I'm a firm believer in skipping the detailed design documents and read my code)

So I was wondering, how do other people view developing Client Side Applications of this ilk (see I got the word ilk into my post)

Do you strip out all your JS comments for release builds - if so how?

What tips can you offer for debug verses release code?

Do you even care about the size of your js files given that they are generally only requested once by the browser?

What IDE do you develop your js in (currently I use PS-PAD but I'm getting a bit weary of it having used Microsoft IDEs for so long)

I'm finding js is still very procedural orientated rather than OO - is this true or am I missing something?

Any other interesting tit bits to offer?

best
Ex