smoke test
Also found in: Wikipedia.
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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
smoke test
A test in which nontoxic, visible smoke is introduced in an air-distribution system, ductwork, piping, etc., to indicate the routes taken by air currents and/or to detect leaks.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
smoke test
(1)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.
smoke test
(2)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.
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.
This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)
smoke test
A test of new or repaired equipment by turning it on. If it smokes... it is not working! Originally coined when smoke was introduced to check for leaks in newly manufactured containers and pipes, the term also refers to testing a software application for the first time. See testing types.Smoke Test |
---|
Not the most sophisticated way to tell if something is working properly, but it is a sure guarantee that it is not. |
Copyright © 1981-2019 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.