Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

desk check
     
         To {grovel} over hardcopy of {source code},
        mentally simulating the {control flow}; a method of catching
        bugs.  No longer common practice in this age of on-screen
        editing, fast compiles, and sophisticated debuggers - though
        some maintain stoutly that it ought to be.
     
        Compare {dry run}, {eyeball search}, {vdiff}, {vgrep}.
     
        [{Jargon File}]
     
        (1996-05-13)