Plugin

1 definition found

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  plug-in
       
           A file containing data used to alter, enhance, or
          extend the operation of a parent {application program}.  One
          of the first uses of this term was in {Silicon Beach}'s
          {SuperPaint} application (late 1980s?) for the {Macintosh}.


          It had a Plug-ins {folder} containing different tools and
          effects.
       
          The {Netscape Navigator} {World-Wide Web} {browser} supports
          plug-ins which display or interpret a particular file format
          or {protocol} such as {Shockwave}, {RealAudio}, {Adobe
          Systems, Inc.} {PDF}, {Corel CMX} ({vector graphics}).  The
          file to be displayed is included in a {web page} using an
          EMBED {HTML} {tag}.
       
          Plug-ins, both commercially and indepently authored, can
          usually be downloaded for free and are stored locally.
          Plug-ins come in different versions specific to particular
          {operating systems} ({Microsoft Windows 3.1}, 3.2, and
          {Macintosh} are available).
       
          Compare {applet}.
       
          {Plug-in Plaza (http://www.browserwatch.com/plug-in.html)}.
       
          {PC Mag Plug-ins
          (http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/IU/plugins/plugins.htm)}.
       
          (1996-05-25)