A software engine is a core component of a complex software system. The word "engine" is a metaphor of a car's engine. Thus a software engine is a complex subsystem.
There is no formal guideline for what should be called an engine, but the term has become widespread in the software industry.
Notable examples
Multi-engine systems
- Mainstream web browsers have both a rendering engine and a JavaScript engine.
- Video games are often based on a game engine. Some of these also have specialized physics or graphics engines.
References
