Spend any time browsing the web or updating your computer software and you’re going to come across plug-ins. Despite the title, plug-ins aren’t really something you physically plug into your computer like a flash drive or USB extension. Instead, plug-ins are embedded downloadable add-on applications that are meant to enhance a software program’s performance. Plug-ins allow for a wider range of customized flexibility by delivering tool bars and other widget shortcuts. Two of the most common plug-ins are the Adobe Flash Player and Quicktime. Whether you know it or not, you probably have both of these plug-ins on your computer right now!
There are many reasons why plug-ins are a necessary put of a software’s operation system. They enable third-party programmers to exactly extend the potential of a particular application’s function. Plug-ins also make it easier to add new features to an existing piece of software and can help decrease the overall size of an application and thereby improve your computer’s functionality.
Just as there are thousands of software programs, there are also thousands of plug-ins available depending on your need. You can find a plug-in to encrypt and decrypt your emails. These are used by companies who send out sensitive data and want that protected. Graphics software like the kinds used in computer games utilize plug-ins to help process moving images. Many media players put a variety of plug-ins to use to help apply filters and support file formats.
Major operating systems like Microsoft Office call their plug-ins add-ins, but they serve the same purpose; to extend the function of applications and provide additional command shortcuts. There are plug-ins that can help translate languages across many types of Internet platforms. And web browsers definitely have plug-ins as part of their user interface to make watching videos more compatible with you own computer’s software.