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.
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {magic smoke}{reality check}]