Can I turn cache off for the development deployment? On development platform caching can be a pain. Can I turn it off? Will it affect any of the modules that require it?
Install the devel module which adds a cache clear option for administrators.
You'll find a devel block to add to a region for quick cache clearing, or if you install the admin menu and get a quick menu in the top left for clearing various caches in Drupal.

If you like the command line install drush and use the drush cc all command to clear your sites caches. Beware that currently drush cc doesn't clear the Varnish cache if that's applicable to your setup.