crash and burn

2 definitions found

crash and burn - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  crash and burn
  
     <jargon> A spectacular crash, in the mode of the conclusion of
     the car-chase scene in the movie "Bullitt" and many subsequent
     imitators (compare die horribly).  A Sun-3 display screen
      losing the flyback transformer and lightning strikes
     on VAX-11/780 backplanes are notable crash and burn
     generators.
  
     The construction "crash-and-burn machine" is reported for a
     computer used exclusively for alpha or beta testing, or
     reproducing bugs (i.e. not for development).  The implication
     is that it wouldn't be such a disaster if that machine
     crashed, since only the testers would be inconvenienced.
  
     [Jargon File]
  
     (1996-02-22)
  

crash and burn - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  crash and burn
   vi.,n.
  
     A spectacular crash, in the mode of the conclusion of the car-chase
     scene in the movie Bullitt and many subsequent imitators (compare
  die horribly
     ). The construction crash-and-burn machine is reported for a
     computer used exclusively for alpha or beta testing, or reproducing
     bugs (i.e., not for development). The implication is that it wouldn't
     be such a disaster if that machine crashed, since only the testers
     would be inconvenienced.