tillnow

A Software or Hardware module that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system. The idea is that the new component simply plugs in to the existing system. For example, there are number of plug-ins for the Netrscape Navigator Browser that enable it to display different types of audio or video messages. Navigator plug-ins are based on MIME file types.

Plug-in applications are programs that can easily be installed and used as part of your Web Browser Initially, the Netscape browser allowed you to download, install, and define supplementary programs that played sound or motion video or performed other functions. These were called helper applications. However, these applications run as a separate application and require that a second window be opened. A plug-in application is recognized automatically by the browser and its function is integrated into the main HTML file that is being presented.