In web development, JavaScript source maps are essential for debugging minified files, as they map the minified code back to the original source, facilitating error identification and resolution in production environments. The process involves using tools like UglifyJS2 to generate minified JavaScript files along with corresponding source maps, which can then be utilized in browsers like Chrome to view errors in their unminified form. For production-level error tracking, platforms like Rollbar offer integration capabilities that allow developers to monitor real-time errors using source maps. This includes setting up Rollbar to process JavaScript errors by including a notifier snippet in the web app and ensuring the source maps are publicly accessible. Automating the minification and source map generation process can be achieved using scripts that listen for changes in JavaScript files, and deploying source maps to Rollbar's API further enhances error tracking by providing detailed stack traces. Rollbar also offers support for various backend environments, such as Python, Rails, PHP, and Node.js, and provides a 14-day free trial for developers looking to mitigate errors in their applications effectively.