What is "dry run"

n. (context idiomatic English) A practice; a rehearsal.

n. a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert); "he missed too many rehearsals"; "a rehearsal will be held the day before the wedding" [syn: rehearsal]

A dry run (or a practice run) is a testing process where the effects of a possible failure are intentionally mitigated. For example, an aerospace company may conduct a "dry run" test of a jet's new pilot ejection seat while the jet is parked on the ground, rather than while it is in flight.

In computer programming, , where the computer programmer examines the source code one step at a time and determines what it will do when run. In theoretical computer science, , sometimes expressed in pseudocode, where the computer scientist examines the algorithm's procedures one step at a time. In both uses, the dry run is frequently assisted by a table (on a computer screen or on paper) with the program or algorithm's variables on the top.

The usage of "dry run" in acceptance procedures (for example in the so-called FAT = factory acceptance testing) is meant as following: the factory - which is a subcontractor - must perform a complete test of the system it has to deliver before the actual acceptance by customer.

Dry run may refer to:

• Dry run (testing), a testing process
• Dry run (terrorism), a test to examine how security will react to an attempted terrorist attack without carrying out the actual act

• Dry Run, Ohio, a census-designated place in Hamilton County
• Dry Run, Scioto County, Ohio, an unincorporated community
• Dry Run, Pennsylvania, a place in Pennsylvania
• Dry Run, West Virginia, an unincorporated community
• Dry Fork (Cheat River) or Dry Run, in West Virginia
• Dry Run (Susquehecka Creek) in Pennsylvania

A dry run is an act committed by a terrorist organization without carrying out any actual terrorism in an attempt to determine whether a technique they are planning to use will be successful. The dry run is part of the rehearsal for a terrorist act, and is often the immediate precursor to the attack. It may include attempting to smuggle weapons or other items to be used in the attack past a security checkpoint to determine whether or not this will be noticed, or monitoring the reactions of security personnel to the actions that would occur during a real attack.

The dry run is considered to be the heart of the planning stages of the terrorist attack. It is the method by which strengths and weaknesses in the plot are exposed to the terrorists, unforeseen obstacles can be detected, and the techniques are refined. Sometimes, multiple dry runs are conducted in an effort to perfect the ultimate attack.

Dry Run is a tributary of Susquehecka Creek in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately long and flows through Washington Township and Freeburg. The watershed of the stream has an area of . The stream has one unnamed tributary. Both Dry Run and its unnamed tributary are impaired by siltation due to agriculture. Dry Run has been known to experience flooding in Freeburg.

Dry Run is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately long and flows through Delaware Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of . The stream is impaired by sedimentation/siltation from agriculture and is a relatively small valley stream. Several bridges have been constructed across it. The stream is designated as a Warmwater Fishery and a Migratory Fishery.