When some special software add-on has program libraries in it, that is, a number of so-called subprograms, which aim to solve different problems, then we talk about plug-ins. Therefore, a special type of program add-on file that includes a special program library, but at the same time is not a constituent part of the specific software, is defined as a plug-in by definition.
The main purpose of these software add-ons is that certain software, precisely with the use of their libraries, offers users different functions that are not actually included in it when creating. For example, a plug-in is a special add-on designed to block pop-up windows, and there are a number of add-ons designed to improve the performance of the Wordpress platform, as well as various plug-ins related to the taskbar, but also many others.
The principle behind these software add-ons fully adapts to the requirements and aims to greatly improve certain applications or programs. It is precisely thanks to such a principle, and when a particular program or application supports a specific plug-in, that customization of using is done according to the requirements or needs of the individual user. Also, the add-on that is within a certain browser intended, for example, for using a certain type of file, but also the one that should scan for viruses and many others are treated as a plug-in.
The most famous plug-in is definitely Java, designed to run various pages that contain Java files. Also, Adobe Flash Player is included in plug-ins, as well as Quick Time Player, and many others.
The first time a plug-in appeared in use was in the 1970s, but it was one of the simplest, only to pave the way to a number of software add-ons appeared later for various programs and applications.
Most applications or programs have plug-in support, primarily because this can improve their performance, which indirectly impacts its quality. Depending on the type of application or program, different plug-ins are supported, so for example those programs intended for receiving and sending e-mails allow the use of special add-ons, the basic purpose of which is to encrypt or decrypt a specific message, while for example, that program, that is, software intended for the reproduction of various media with certain add-ons can be used in any situation, because on that occasion it actually supports many formats and thus significantly makes it easier to use. If the plug-ins are available within special programs or applications designed for sound editing, then their purpose is primarily not only to generate and analyze sound but also to forward it, and when the plug-in is used within a special program for text editing, then its the main purpose is to support many programming languages that are used on that occasion.
Of course, it is likely that every Internet user knows that many browsers actually use different add-ons, that is, plug-ins, and primarily we talk about those intended for playing video content of different formats and specific presentations, for which Flash Player or Quick Time are used primarily, although there are many other plug-ins.
Most plug-ins do not work independently, but their work depends solely on the way in which a particular program or application is created, and within which they are installed. Of course, the main program, that is, the application works completely separate from plug-ins so that users are given the option to install different plug-ins depending on the support, but on that occasion, they cannot change the main program or application.
Most often, the functions of certain plug-ins are applied with the specific - so-called - shared libraries, in the segment where it is specified within a specific program.