By definition, a plug-in is either a piece of hardware or of software that adds a specific feature or services to a larger entity. Simply put, it’s a component that plugs into an existing system. It also adds a new functionality to a software program.
For example, in the software world, a plug-in is a small application that allows you to view a YouTube video or listen to audio within a web page. The web browser by itself doesn’t have the capability to perform these kinds of additional functions, so you need a plug-in to perform them for you.
You can download plug-in software from the Internet. Simply go to your favorite search engine and enter the keywords, “plug-in.” The search engine will list dozens of different companies offering plug-in software applications, many of which are free. You can download plug-ins for all software platforms (for example, Windows or Mac OS).
What Types are Plug-Ins are Available?
Some plug-ins offer multimedia features, while others can be used for Internet browsers, graphics, and other applications. For example, some Java plug-ins let you view movies and other types of multimedia features. Plug-ins for programs like Shockwave and RealPlayer allow you to view animated features and listen to audio files.
The Internet also offers plug-ins for desktop publishing systems. For example, a few software companies develop software for numbering figures and tables, managing footnotes, creating indexes, and more.
Plug-ins for Cross-References
Adobe InDesign offers a cross-referencing plug-in that lets you mark figures, tables, and photos within the documents you create. You can then cross-reference those elements elsewhere within the document. It’s a handy feature because you don’t have to manually change page numbers and figure/table references, since the plug-in does it for you.
Since there are so many different types of plug-ins available on the Internet it’s difficult to cover them here. However, the above information provides an idea of plug-in features and functions.