A plug-in is a software application that is programmed using interfaces, so-called APIs, to create functional extensions. It is therefore an extension of existing software that still functions without the actual main program.
Plug-ins are used, for example, for certain image and video editing programs on the desktop. For example, the graphics program Photoshop sometimes uses plug-ins for new effects and to support certain image or file formats. Plug-ins developed for media players, on the other hand, enable the playback of certain video and file formats, such as MPEG, AVI or WMV.
CMS plug-ins, on the other hand, have become particularly well known thanks to the WordPress content management system, as there are a large number of additional plug-ins that allow even beginners to quickly create individually designed websites. However, large plug-in directories are also available for other CMS, such as TYPO3. These extensions offer the following functions, for example:
- For the e-commerce sector: online store functionality
- For search engine optimization: SEO functions
- For the social media sector: Connection to social media services
Plug-ins are often free of charge, but you should always pay attention to which provider they come from. This is because third-party providers often have no control. It is therefore not certain whether the specified functionalities of the plug-in will work without restriction. In addition, the software may have security vulnerabilities that could harm companies.
The terms plug-in and add-on are sometimes used interchangeably. This is in fact incorrect, as an add-on is an additional program that is only useful in conjunction with the main program. Detailed information can be found here.
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