smoke test

smoke test
 n.

   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}.

   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.
    

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}.

   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.

   [{Jargon File}]