smoke test
A test of new or repaired equipment by turning it on. If it smokes... guess what... it doesn't work! The term also refers to testing the basic functions of software. The term was originally coined in the manufacture of containers and pipes, where smoke was introduced to determine if there were any leaks. See testing types.
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| Smoke Test |
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| Not the most sophisticated way to tell if something is working properly, but it's a sure guarantee that it isn't. |
smoke test [′smōk ‚test]
(engineering)
A test used on kerosine to determine the highest point to which the flame can be turned before smoking occurs.
| 1. | smoke test - A rudimentary form of testing applied to electronic equipment following repair or reconfiguration, in which power is applied and the tester checks for sparks, smoke, or other dramatic signs of fundamental failure. See magic smoke. | ||
| 2. | smoke test - By extension, the first run of a piece of software after
construction or a critical change. See and compare reality check. There is an interesting semi-parallel to this term among typographers and printers: When new typefaces are being punch-cut by hand, a "smoke test" (hold the letter in candle smoke, then press it onto paper) is used to check out new dies. |
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