Dry run (testing)

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A dry run (also called a practice run) is a test meant to check that a system works and to avoid big problems. In software, a dry run means showing what would happen without making changes. For example, rsync has a dry-run option that previews what would be copied and helps verify the commands.

In acceptance testing, such as factory acceptance testing, a dry run is a full test of the system before it’s delivered to the customer to catch issues early.

The term comes from firefighting drills where they practiced without using water; a real operation with water is called a wet run. It became common in other fields, including the military, over time.

Dry runs are a safe way to practice and confirm steps before the real job.