Plugins for Google Chrome
Browser plug-ins are essentially a set of programs which are designed to broaden the capabilities of your web browser by enabling it to work with various types of web content. These plug-ins allow the browser to customize itself for performing specific tasks like video playback, scan for viruses, display several file types, etc. It widens the utility scope of the browser for you, resulting in increased acceptability and usage.
The plug-ins are also known as add-ons, snap-ins, extensions, etc. There are a number of reasons your browser supports add-ons. It extends the browser itself by permitting the third-party developers to create such capabilities. These extensions are also constantly upgraded and add new features to the browser, thereby providing you a variety of services on a single platform. The plug-in feature reduces the size of the browser considerably, since the advanced uses of the browser can be delegated to the add-ons and hence, your browser becomes lighter and quicker to respond while you are browsing. The Google Chrome browser was developed keeping this in mind. Therefore, you can view PDF files using the Adobe Acrobat plug-in, play and watch Flash videos using the Flash player plug-in, play audio and other video files using the Windows Media Player, QuickTime or Microsoft Silverlight add-on, run JAVA applets if the Java snap-in is enabled.
The plug-in framework functions in the following manner. Your browser provides the services that can be used by the plug-in, along with a way for this plug-in to register itself with your browser and a protocol for the exchange of data with the plug-in. Primarily, the plug-ins are dependent upon the services provided by your browser and do not typically work by themselves. On the contrary, the browser works autonomously from the plug-ins, while making it possible for you to regularly add and update extensions without making alterations to it. However, after installation, these add-ons become a standard and integral part of your browser. But these can also be removed or disabled as per your individual needs and given the circumstances. As a result, extensions enable you to have a web browser with tailor-made utilities to serve you in a better way. These extensions are pre-activated or can be activated usually with a single-click, subsequently adding to the customized feel of the browser.
A lot of third-party developers are regularly designing and creating new extensions that make your browsing experience more convenient and effective, all with the help of a single click. This exponential development also allows for a breach of privacy or might result in the browser becoming non-functional due to the large size of the add-ons. Therefore, the plug-ins should be installed only after due verification and recommendation from a trustworthy website/source, and only if it serves your purpose. Nonetheless, the plug-ins are a great addition to your browser as they introduce a lot of capable options to be explored and experienced in a user-friendly manner. This guarantees a personalized one-stop shop privileged treatment to you and provides you with a satisfactory browsing performance.
