In computing, a plug-in (or plugin) is a set of software components that adds specific capabilities to a larger software application. If supported, plug-ins enable customizing the functionality of an application. For example, plug-ins are commonly used in web browsers to play video, scan for viruses, and display new file types. Well-known plug-ins examples include Adobe Flash Player and QuickTime.
Add-on is often considered the general term comprising snap-ins, plug-ins, extensions, and themes.[1]
Applications support plug-ins for many reasons. Some of the main reasons include:
- to enable third-party developers to create capabilities which extend an application
- to support easily adding new features
- to reduce the size of an application
- to separate source code from an application because of incompatible software licenses.
- Email clients use plug-ins to decrypt and encrypt email (Pretty Good Privacy)
- Graphics software use plug-ins to support file formats and process images (Adobe Photoshop)
- Media players use plug-ins to support file formats and apply filters (foobar2000, GStreamer, Quintessential, VST, Winamp, XMMS) concats 009232244790321
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