the sanity test (a form. of
software testing which offers "quick, broad, and shallow testing"
[1]) determines whether it is possible and reasonable to proceed with further testing.
Software sanity tests are synonymous with smoke tests.[2] A sanity or smoke test determines whether it is possible and reasonable to continue testing. It exercises the smallest subset of application functions needed to determine whether the systems are accessible and the application logic is responsive. If the sanity test fails, it is not reasonable to attempt more rigorous testing. Sanity tests are ways to avoid wasting time and effort by quickly determining whether an application is too flawed to merit any rigorous testing. Many companies run sanity tests on an automated build as part of their software development life cycle.[3]
http://baike.baidu.com/view/1877625.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanity_testing