Plug-in (computing) facts for kids
Imagine your favorite video game or a drawing app. Sometimes, you might want to add new tools or features to it. That's where a plug-in comes in! A plug-in (also called an add-on) is like a small piece of software. It adds a special new feature to a computer program you already use. When a program can use plug-ins, it means you can change it and make it more personal.
Sometimes, plug-ins can even change how a program looks. These are often called a theme or skin. They are like a special package of designs. Themes change the colors, fonts, and overall look of software or websites. This lets you make your computer programs look just the way you like them.
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Why Programs Use Plug-ins
Programs use plug-ins for many good reasons. They help make software more flexible and powerful.
Here are some main reasons:
- They let other companies or people create new tools for a program. This means more cool features for you!
- It's easy to add new features without changing the main program.
- Programs can be smaller because they only load features you need.
- Sometimes, different parts of a program need different rules. Plug-ins help keep these parts separate.
Many different types of programs use plug-ins. Here are some examples:
- Music and Sound Programs: Software for making or editing music often uses audio plug-ins. These plug-ins can create new sounds or change how sounds are processed. Programs like Audacity and FL Studio use them.
- Email Programs: Email apps use plug-ins to keep your messages safe. For example, some plug-ins can encrypt (scramble) and decrypt (unscramble) emails. This helps protect your privacy.
- Video Game Emulators: These programs let you play old video games on new computers. They use plug-ins for different parts of the game console. For instance, a plug-in might handle the video, sound, or even the game disc.
- Picture Editing Software: Programs like Photoshop use plug-ins to open different image files. They can also add special effects or filters to your pictures.
- Media Players: Apps that play music or videos use plug-ins too. These plug-ins help them play many different file types. They can also add cool visual effects or sound filters.
- Text Editors and Coding Programs: If you're learning to code, you might use a text editor or an IDE. These programs use plug-ins to help you write code in different programming languages. They can also make coding easier and faster.
- Web Browsers: In the past, web browsers used plug-ins to show special content. Things like Adobe Flash Player or Java were common. Today, most browsers use browser extensions instead. Extensions are similar but work a bit differently.
How Plug-ins Work
The main program (called the "host application") offers special services. Plug-ins use these services to do their job. The host program also has a way for plug-ins to connect to it. This connection allows them to share information.
Plug-ins need the main program to work. They usually cannot run by themselves. But the main program can run without the plug-ins. This is great because you can add or update plug-ins easily. You don't need to change the main program itself.
Often, plug-ins are like small, separate programs. They are loaded by the main program when it needs them. Sometimes, plug-ins are simple script files. These scripts are written in languages like Python or Lua.
Mozilla's View on Add-ons
The Mozilla Foundation (who make Firefox) has specific terms. For them, "add-on," "extension," and "plug-in" are not exactly the same.
- An add-on is a general term. It means anything that adds features to a Mozilla program.
- An extension is a type of add-on. Extensions are very powerful and common.
- A plug-in specifically means a tool that helps web browsers show certain web content.
Mozilla browsers like Firefox have mostly stopped using these older plug-ins. However, some other browsers still support them.
Helper Applications
A helper application is a bit different from a plug-in. It's a separate program that opens content from your web browser. For example, if you click on a PDF file in your browser, it might open in a program like Adobe Reader.
Unlike a plug-in, a helper application is a standalone program. It doesn't run inside the browser. The web browser decides which helper application to use. It does this based on the file type.
History of Plug-ins
The idea of plug-ins has been around for a long time. In the 1970s, a text editor called EDT allowed other programs to connect to it. This let users do things like compile code right from the editor.
In the late 1980s, plug-ins became more common on personal computers. Programs like HyperCard and QuarkXPress on the Apple Macintosh started using them in 1987. Other software like Digital Darkroom and SuperPaint also added plug-in features in 1988.
See also
In Spanish: Complemento (informática) para niños
- Applet
- Browser extension
