Part of the Programming glossary:

In computer programming, an engine is a program that performs a core or essential function for other programs. An engine can be a central or focal program in an operating system , subsystem, or application program that coordinates the overall operation of other programs. It is also used to describe a special-purpose program containing an algorithm that can sometimes be changed. The best known usage is the term search engine which uses an algorithm to search an index of topics given a search argument. A search engine is designed so that its approach to searching the index can be changed to reflect new rules for finding and prioritizing matches in the index. In artificial intelligence , the program that uses rules of logic to derive output from a knowledge base is called an inference engine .

Next Steps

The term connotes a comparison with mechanical engines. In 1844, Charles Babbage named his stored-program computer the Analytical Engine .

This was last updated in September 2005
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Related Terms

Definitions

  • business rules engine (BRE)

    - A business rules engine (BRE) is a software component that allows non-programmers to add or change business logic in a business process management (BPM) system. (SearchSOA.com)

  • reverse engineering

    - Reverse engineering is taking apart an object to see how it works in order to duplicate or enhance the object... (Continued) (SearchCIO-Midmarket.com)

  • FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation)

    - FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation) is a third-generation (3GL) programming language that was designed for use by engineers, mathematicians, and other users and creators of scientific algorithms. (WhatIs.com)

Glossaries

  • Programming

    - Terms related to software programming, including definitions about programming languages and words and phrases about software design, coding, testing and debugging.

  • Internet applications

    - This WhatIs.com glossary contains terms related to Internet applications, including definitions about Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery models and words and phrases about web sites, e-commerce ...

Ask a Question. Find an Answer.Powered by ITKnowledgeExchange.com

Ask An IT Question

Get answers from your peers on your most technical challenges

Ask Question

Tech TalkComment

Share
Comments

    Results

    Contribute to the conversation

    All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.
    Back to top