Software teminology: Server, engine, library

Hi!

Im looking for a newsgroup where I ask questions about software terminology.
I have tried to find some computer scientific group, but haven't succeded so
far. If you have a newsgroup to recommend please quide me to it. At the
moment I chose to ask here:

Is there any definition on what is a 'server' (not talking HW) vs. 'engine'
vs. 'library'?

To be more specific
1. Tomcat is called a 'server'. Is this a choice by the product owner? or is
there some definition of what makes a product a 'server'? Is it the case
when you have a 'client'?
2. Some software-branches use the term 'engine', e.g Graphical engines (to
process 3D-environments)? What makes something a 'engine'?
3. Many software products are called 'libraries'. As I understand it these
are passive code (no processes running)?

Frank

Frank

Frank wrote:
>
> Is there any definition on what is a 'server' (not talking HW) vs. 'engine'
> vs. 'library'?

What class is this for?


--
http://www.bootdisk.com/

Hi!

Of course it looks like homework I didn't think about it. I am not
attending any class (but apparently I should have).

Im working on a hobby project of mine, and Im working on a web-page
presenting it. I was wondering what term to use.
At the moment I call it 'engine', but Im not sure what people associate with
the term 'engine', or if I should call it 'library'.

Is there any definition or do people use these terms as they feel like?

Frank


"Plato" <|@|.|> wrote in message
news:4045979c$0$39388$...
> Frank wrote:
> >
> > Is there any definition on what is a 'server' (not talking HW) vs.
'engine'
> > vs. 'library'?
>
> What class is this for?
>
>
> --
> http://www.bootdisk.com/

Frank wrote:
>
> Of course it looks like homework I didn't think about it. I am not
> attending any class (but apparently I should have).

I wish it was so cut and dry. For example, the term "server".
Personally, I think of a server as a computer [hardware] thats set to
provide files to others. Others tho call server software a "server". eg
like they say "I just installed an email server on my pc" when they are
just talking about the software.

The term "engine" is equally confusing. I remember when I first heard of
the term when installing/playing d00m eg "initiallizing 3D engine" like
I'm suppossed to be impressed.

Its just the software that runs the game.

"Frank" <> wrote in message
news:40458cc0$...
> Hi!
>
> Im looking for a newsgroup where I ask questions about software
terminology.
> I have tried to find some computer scientific group, but haven't succeded
so
> far. If you have a newsgroup to recommend please quide me to it. At the
> moment I chose to ask here:
>
> Is there any definition on what is a 'server' (not talking HW) vs.
'engine'
> vs. 'library'?
>
> To be more specific
> 1. Tomcat is called a 'server'. Is this a choice by the product owner? or
is
> there some definition of what makes a product a 'server'? Is it the case
> when you have a 'client'?

A server program is a program that does a function for a client program. The
client program makes a request to the server program and the server program
(serves it up).



For lack of a better term, an engine program is several server programs
combined into one program that does all the tasks for client program.



Like a User Interface (UI) program that calls upon its engine (server)
program to carryout the requested task.


> 2. Some software-branches use the term 'engine', e.g Graphical engines (to
> process 3D-environments)? What makes something a 'engine'?

For lack of a better term, an engine program is several server programs
combined into one program that does all the tasks for client program.



Like a User Interface (UI) program that calls upon its engine (server)
program to carryout the requested task.


> 3. Many software products are called 'libraries'. As I understand it these
> are passive code (no processes running)?

A library of prorgams are static specilized code that can be included in a
server or client program and is compiled to make an executable.

Duane

Hi!

Thank you for your responses.
I suspected that this was 'confusing' issue, probably the definitions are
made by 'sales and marketing' divisions in companies

Frank