The computer software known as a plug-in, which may also be referred to as an add-on or extension, is designed to supplement the functionality of a host application without affecting the host program itself. Plug-ins are becoming increasingly used in digital music, video, and web browsing. They give programmers the ability to update a host software while still allowing the user to remain within the context of the application.
In the 1990s, as both software and microprocessors got more powerful, plug-ins experienced their first surge in popularity. Adobe Photoshop, an image-processing and editing tool, was one of the first programs to make substantial use of plug-ins, and it was also one of the first programs to gain widespread popularity. In early versions of Photoshop, plug-ins extended the capabilities of the program by adding new features and options for modifying photos, such as special effects, filters, and other settings.
