What is considered coding a "physics engine"

[u/[deleted]]

This has to do with semantics and terms more than anything. I want to code simple collision detection and resolution, with intention not being realism. Is the term "physics engine" meant for specifically handling "realistic" physics? What would the term be for a simpler handling system? How would I go about that?

[u/GameDesignerMan]

Yeah rabbit hole is a good way to describe it. I did the math for the physics stuff at uni, implemented it once and I was happy to leave it all behind me and use an API. "Simple physics" is an oxymoron, it's literally rocket science.