Plug-in (informática)

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A plug-in, in computing terms, is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing software application. When an application supports plug-ins, it enables customization and improved functionality by allowing third-party developers to provide additional features. These plug-ins are typically created as shared libraries that are loaded during the application’s runtime, enabling dynamic updates and additions without modifying the actual application. This mechanism helps reduce the overall application size as it only loads the necessary features, and it also allows for the separation of source code from applications. Examples of applications that utilize plug-ins include digital audio workstations, correio eletrónico[4] clients, jogo de vídeo[2] console emulators, and more. In the context of web browsers, plug-ins, also known as helper applications, are external viewer programs that aid in content display. They are essential for maintaining web browser security[3] and enhancing user experience[1].

Definições de termos
1. user experience. User Experience (UX) is a broad term that encompasses every aspect of an end-user's interaction with a company, its services, or its products. This includes users' perceptions and responses, both emotional and cognitive, during and after the use of a system, product, or service. User Experience also involves users' beliefs, preferences, and behaviors. While usability, a component of UX, focuses on the practical aspects of a system, UX incorporates a holistic view of system use. User experience is a vital factor in increasing brand loyalty and customer base growth. Its history dates back to the Machine Age, with notable contributions from figures like Frederick Winslow Taylor, Henry Ford, and Donald Norman. Today, technology advancements continue to shape and expand the field.Developer Experience (DX) is the analog of UX for software developers. It represents the experience developers have with the tools, processes, and software they use in their work. A high-quality DX can significantly impact the overall user experience, thus contributing to the success of the product. The importance of DX is increasingly recognized in the field of software services, where ease of use can serve as a key market differentiator. This concept has been explored by various authors and researchers, and it's also emphasized in international standards like ISO 9241-210, which advocates for human-centered design.
2. jogo de vídeo. Um jogo de vídeo é um meio de entretenimento digital interativo em que os jogadores interagem com um ambiente virtual apresentado num ecrã. Com origem nas décadas de 1940 e 1950, os jogos de vídeo evoluíram através de várias plataformas, incluindo máquinas de arcada, consolas domésticas, computadores pessoais (PC), dispositivos móveis e sistemas de realidade virtual. Constituem um sector significativo no mercado global, influenciando a conceção e a inovação da eletrónica. O desenvolvimento de jogos de vídeo é um processo complexo que envolve trabalho de equipa em várias disciplinas e colaboração entre criadores, editores, distribuidores e retalhistas. Estes jogos abrangem diferentes géneros e estilos, satisfazendo um público diversificado. Também desempenham um papel na educação, oferecendo um ambiente de aprendizagem único e apresentando conteúdos históricos de uma forma interactiva. Apesar do seu objetivo de entretenimento, os jogos de vídeo suscitam por vezes debates sobre a sua definição e os seus limites.

In computing, a plug-in (ou plugin, add-in, addin, add-on, ou addon) is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program. When a program supports plug-ins, it enables customization.

Mozilla Firefox displaying a list of installed plug-ins

A theme ou skin is a preset package containing additional or changed graphical appearance details, achieved by the use of a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users to customize the look and feel of a piece of computer software or an operating system front-end GUI (and window managers).

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