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What's a browser plug-in?
When should I consider creating my own plug-ins?
When should I not use plug-ins?
Are plug-ins difficult to write and maintain?
Will plug-ins work with COM components?
What's an example of plug-in usage?
A: Plug-ins are very powerful, high-performance "dynamic libraries" that seamlessly interact with your browser. These plug-ins effectively extend the original capabilities of your browser, giving you the best the Internet has to offer.
For instance, RealAudio and Shockwave are both plug-ins
that extend your browser's capabilities. Java 2.0 has
been implemented as a plug-in. Video players run
as plug-ins.
Q: When should I consider creating my own plug-ins?
Plug-ins are more efficient because they consist
of compiled native code and have limited execution
time download overhead. If powerful features
are needed and/or speed is an issue, plug-ins
are a superior solution.
Moreover, if the source code and algorithm are sensitive
and users/browsers should not have access to them,
plug-ins are the right choice. Other web
technologies allow WWW users to decompile and/or
view your source code, which may not be desired.
Q: When should I not use plug-ins?
Q: Are plug-ins difficult to write and maintain?
Q: Will plug-ins work with COM components?
Q: What's an example of plug-in usage?
Using a plug-in, the browser GUI can be combined with
any other existing technology accessible for a language
such as C or C++. See how PluginMaker works today with by
accessing our demo plug-in page.
Download your FREE trial copy
of PluginMaker today - and discover how easy it is to
create your own plug-ins.
Click here to download.
A: An Intranet or a closed environment is the best
place for plug-ins.
A: Plug-ins are not suitable for all situations. Casual
site visitors will usually not download an unknown
plug-in unless the content is very compelling. Furthermore,
plug-ins are platform-specific. (PluginMaker-created plugins
will cater to Windows95, Windows/98 or Windows/NT.)
A: This used to be the case.
But PluginMaker makes this very simple. Any Visual C++
programmer can now develop plug-ins that are
easy to develop and maintain. Download our evaluation
copy and see for yourself!
A: Most certainly! If you have several COM objects that
you want to utilize in an internet environment, plug-ins
provide the perfect GUI front end for putting them together.
Just call CoInitialize and use smart pointers to call
your COM objects. (Or any other technique preferred
for accessing your COM object; it will work in a plug-in
just like it works in apps.)
A: You can effectively use plug-ins for many every-day tasks.
Multimedia, synchronization with palmtop PCs, special
drawing algorithms, direct socket protocols,
encryption and wireless access
are just some of the examples.