burn-in period

burn-in period
 n.

   1. A factory test designed to catch systems with {marginal} components
   before they get out the door; the theory is that burn-in will protect
   customers by outwaiting the steepest part of the {bathtub curve} (see
   {infant mortality}).

   2. A period of indeterminate length in which a person using a computer
   is so intensely involved in his project that he forgets basic needs
   such as food, drink, sleep, etc. Warning: Excessive burn-in can lead
   to burn-out. See {hack mode}, {larval stage}.

   Historical note: the origin of "burn-in" (sense 1) is apparently the
   practice of setting a new-model airplane's brakes on fire, then
   extinguishing the fire, in order to make them hold better. This was
   done on the first version of the U.S. spy-plane, the U-2.
    

burn-in period

   1. <testing> A factory {soak test} intended to increase the
   chance that components that fail early due to {infant
   mortality} will fail before the system leaves the factory.

   2. <jargon> When one is so intensely involved in a new project
   that one forgets basic needs such as food, drink and sleep.
   Excessive burn-in can lead to burn-out.  See {hack mode},
   {larval stage}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (2007-01-17)