White box

  1. When referring to testing, a white box, also known as a clear box or glass box, refers to a software application used to measure the internal behaviors while a program is being run. Developed in the early 1970's, when using the white box the user must have an understanding of the design of the program and requires a black box for a complete test.
  2. When referring to computer hardware, white box refers to a packaging that only contains the hardware, with limited or no software or documentation. A white box product is commonly cheaper than the standard product purchased from a retailer and is commonly only made available to an OEM or a bulk purchaser.

Also see: Beta testing, Black box