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In computing, a plug-in (or plugin, add-in, addin, add-on, addon, or extension) is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program. When a program supports plug-ins, it enables customization. The common examples are the plug-ins used in web browsers to add new features such as search-engines, virus scanners, or the ability to use a new file type such as a new video format. Well-known browser plug-ins include the Adobe Flash Player, the QuickTime Player, and the Java plug-in, which can launch a user-activated Java applet on a web page to its execution on a local Java virtual machine. A theme or skin is a preset package containing additional or changed graphical appearance details, achieved by the use of a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users to customize the look and feel of a piece of computer software or an operating system front-end GUI (and window managers). ==Purpose and examples== Applications support plug-ins for many reasons. Some of the main reasons include: * to enable third-party developers to create abilities which extend an application * to support easily adding new features * to reduce the size of an application * to separate source code from an application because of incompatible software licenses. Types of applications and why they use plug-ins: * Audio editors use plug-ins to generate, process or analyse sound. Ardour and Audacity are examples of such editors. * Email clients use plug-ins to decrypt and encrypt email. Pretty Good Privacy is an example of such plug-ins. * Graphics software use plug-ins to support file formats and process images. (''c.f.'' Photoshop plugin) * Media players use plug-ins to support file formats and apply filters. foobar2000, GStreamer, Quintessential, VST, Winamp, XMMS are examples of such media players. * Packet sniffers use plug-ins to decode packet formats. OmniPeek is an example of such packet sniffers. * Remote sensing applications use plug-ins to process data from different sensor types; ''e.g.'', Opticks. * Text editors and Integrated development environments use plug-ins to support programming languages or enhance development process ''e.g.'', Visual Studio, RAD Studio, Eclipse, jEdit and MonoDevelop support plug-ins. Visual Studio itself can be plugged into other applications via Visual Studio Tools for Office and Visual Studio Tools for Applications. * Web browsers use browser extensions to expand their functionality. Examples include Adobe Flash Player, Java SE, QuickTime, Microsoft Silverlight, 3DMLW and Unity. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Plug-in (computing)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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