Plug-in (computing)
In computing, a plug-in (or: plugin, add-in, addin, add-on, addon, extension) is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing software application.
Description
Common examples include the plug-ins used in web browsers to add new features such as search engines, virus scanners, or the ability to utilize a new file type such as a new video format.
Well-known browser plug-ins include the Adobe Flash Player, the QuickTime Player, and the Java plug-in, which can launch a user-activated Java applet on a web page to its execution on a local Java virtual machine.
Themes (skins)
A theme or skin is a preset package containing additional or changed graphical appearance details.
This is achieved by the use of a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users to customize the look and feel of a piece of computer software or an operating system.
Extensibility
Plug-ins demonstrate the extensibility principle.
See also
- Adobe Flash Player
- Computing
- Extensibility
- Firebug (software)
- Java applet
- jQuery plug-in
- Web browser
External links
- Plug-in (computing) @ Wikipedia