1.3.2. Plugin

Generally a PlugIn is a computer program that can interact with another program to provide a certain, usually very specific, function.

In connection with browsers we can say that a PlugIn is a program that allows a Web Browser to display a wider range of content than originally intended. For example: the Adobe Flash Player PlugIn allows Web Browsers to display flash content.

There are Web Pages which test if their plug-in is already installed on the computer of the client. Have a look at the following animation. In the image below you should see an animated flash graphic. If you cannot see it, the Flash-Plugin is not properly installed on your computer and you have to download and install it.