What are plugins: pros and cons for developers and users. How to Install a WordPress Plugin

And begins to get to know him, i.e. for beginners.

Let me remind you once again that this engine has a number of capabilities and is universal. Its functions can be constantly improved, both by yourself, having certain knowledge, and with the help of ready-made solutions.

What is a plugin?

A plugin is a software module that is connected to the main program and is designed to expand its capabilities.

They add the necessary functionality to the site and make it more beautiful. Let me give you a comparison, for example, with a bodybuilder. If a person wants to look beautiful and have physical strength, he goes to the fitness room and builds muscle mass (pumps up). We do the same with the engine. WordPress by installing plugins on it.

An example of their work: the “up” button on the site, page navigation, pop-ups, installation social buttons, site maps, etc. Each plugin has its own task, function.

The number of their installation depends on the preferences of the site owner. But it's not that simple. Each plugin is unique and has its own weight, i.e. carries a load on the site. Which affects the page loading speed and the operation of the entire blog as a whole.

So just before installation, collect as much information as possible about the plugin. To do this, type the name into a search engine and read everything, including comments about it (what reviews visitors leave).

Installing a plugin on a blog.

Installation can be done in several ways. Let's look at them all, and choose which one is more convenient for you. Also, in addition to installation, we will decide how to remove it.

First way. This method is the easiest. Go to the WordPress admin panel in the “Plugins” section.

Then “Add new” and in the empty search engine window that opens, enter the name of the plugin we need (in in this case Rus-To-Lat) and then “Search for a plugin”.

The search engine gave us a result stating that the plugin was found and invites us to look detailed information about it or install it immediately. Click “Install” and confirm your action.

That’s it, the plugin files are installed on the hosting and now we need to put it into operation - click “Activate plugin”.

This completes the installation. Some plugins require configuration after installation. To do this, you need to find where they are (perhaps in “Tools” or in “Options”). Everyone has their own individual settings and location.

Second way. It often happens that the above method does not give results, i.e. The search engine in the admin panel does not find the plugin. Then you have to look for it through the main search engines and download the plugin archive first to your computer, then to your hosting. The procedure is almost the same.

Third way. Installation via FTP connection to hosting. I use . This option is the most reliable if done correctly. As in the second method, the archive must be uploaded to hard drive computer. Just before uploading it to your hosting, you should unzip it. Here is the path to the folder with plugin files /public_html/wp-content/plugins. Then, after installation, activate it in the admin panel.

Removing plugins.

To remove a plugin, you must first deactivate it. Go to the admin panel, go to “Plugins”, then “Installed”.

We are looking for the required “Deactivate” and “Delete”. You can get rid of an unnecessary plugin via FTP access to your hosting.

Where to download the necessary plugins.

I note that wordpress.org is the official website WordPress .

Plugins are good, but don't get carried away.

Even if you don’t know what a plug-in is on your computer, you still use at least one add-on. Among them are useful, unnecessary and even viral, so knowing what they are, where to find them and how to remove them is necessary for every computer user. Let us consider in detail the questions of interest.

What is a plugin: general information

Software products do not fully satisfy user needs. But creating multifunctional applications is irrational.

Here's why:

The cost of developing and maintaining such a product would be high, resulting in exorbitant prices for ordinary users.
The larger the application, the more bugs are hidden in it. It is impossible to test such a program, which affects the stability of operation and the occurrence of fatal errors.
A large number of buttons and controls makes it difficult for users to work with the application: difficult to find the desired function or perform an action.

These factors provoked the emergence of expansions.

So, a plugin (add-on, extension) is a subroutine that expands the basic functionality of the application. The user selects and installs add-ons independently, depending on the purpose and specific use of the product.

Computer add-ons

Programs can be modified. The only difference is the nature of the upgrade. These could be updates, patches, mods and plugins. There are many applications on PC that support extensions. Let's look at the main categories software, which can be functionally expanded.

Text and graphic editors. Products such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, etc. support installation additional options. Typically this is specialized tools to create something special graphic design or data formatting.
Development environments. To simplify the work of programmers, special plugins have been created that significantly simplify and speed up the process of writing code. This opportunity have Visual Studio, Eclipse, Brackets, clients for WordPress. For example, the Emmet add-on greatly speeds up the process of writing code and minimizes the likelihood of making syntax errors.
ERP systems. Everyone has heard about 1C developers. So they are the ones who write plugins (tools) for the general ledger. Moreover, the company itself can order to develop necessary addition to meet urgent needs.
Game launchers. Extensions in them perform a statistical function, with the help of which gamers find out “who is cooler” and monitor game progress.

But plugins have gained the greatest popularity in browsers, so let’s see what additional functionality they can offer to the average Internet user.

Browser extensions

This is a real find for active Internet users. For example, downloading audio and video directly from social networks, implement plugins. Controlling the safety of surfing the Internet and recommendations for visiting resources is implemented by an add-on from Avast!. For those who like to make purchases in online stores, there are solutions from Quicksearch that will help you find an identical product in other markets in two clicks and compare prices. And the AdBlock ad blocker will help make your life calmer.

Let's look at the plugin installation process using an example Google Chrome:

Errors related to routines

Similar problems arise if the add-on is downloaded as a separate archive or installation file and unpacked into the program location folder. This is due to a mismatch between the version of the program and the plugin, which leads to constant failures in the application and loss of important information. It could also be caused by a virus that came with the extension.

Attention! Check compatibility of plugins and software versions. Scan downloaded extensions with an antivirus program!

Virus (advertising) plugins

Sometimes, under the pretext of a “unique” offer, it is proposed to install an extremely useful add-on that will allow you to download files from file hosting services without registration and SMS. But besides the show aggressive advertising You can't find any functionality. You have been deceived. Go to your browser's "Extensions" and examine the included plugins. If you find a suspicious one among them (which you did not install personally), disable it. If the advertisement disappears, return to “Settings” and delete this unique offer. Next time be more careful!

When working with a computer, any user comes across the word “plugin,” whether he is new to computers or an advanced user. For example, when working with an operating room Windows system Messages such as “Plugin not supported” or “plugin not responding” are often displayed. The word often appears in the browser: the program through which you are on the Internet, as well as when working with many other programs. Today we will tell you what is a plugin in a computer, we will give examples and tell you why plugins are needed at all.

What is a plugin on a computer?

Plugin(from English plug-in - connect, insert) - addition to some other program, designed to expand its functionality. The plugin can be compared to shower hose attachments. The hose in this example is the main program. Initially, everyone washed themselves using a stream of water from a hose, and everyone was happy with this, but then someone came up with the idea of screwing a nozzle onto the hose, with which washing became much more convenient and faster. This attachment is the plugin.

The plugin cannot be used without the main program. You can't wash yourself with just a shower head in your hands. You will definitely need a hose with water pressure. Also, the plugin cannot work without the main program.

Why do we need plugins?

Plugins are needed to expand the functionality of the program for which they were created. They can also correct errors and shortcomings identified in the program after it has been launched for sale. In order for the developer not to re-release the program, it is easier to release an add-on for it.

Plugins can greatly simplify and speed up your computer work. Or they can slow it down, preventing it from functioning normally, if these are low-quality plugins from careless developers. But more on that later.

Examples of plugins on a computer

Perhaps the most popular plugin today is Adobe. Flash Player. This is a browser add-on that plays Flash animations, videos and elements on various websites. It’s available in 9 out of 10 browsers, and it’s probably in yours too. Without it, you would also not be able to play on our site.

There are many other browser plugins available now. For example, it allows you to download videos from Youtube or music from Vkontakte, bypass site blocking, etc. All of them work only in conjunction with a browser and cannot work separately.

There are plugins for other programs:

Plugins for image editors: various effects for processing, new filters.
Plugins for programs for working with sound: sample libraries (sound samples), tools for applying effects to sound (echo, hall, small room effects, etc.)
Plugins for games: they are usually called mods or patches, but, in essence, these are the same plugins: they introduce new features to gameplay, new levels, characters and cannot work separately from the original game.
Plugins for websites. The sites also have basic and advanced functions. The latter are added thanks to the same plugins. Our site uses a huge number of plugins so that you can easily interact with it.

Plugins exist for almost all types of computer software. We have listed only the most popular of them.

Official and unofficial plugins.

Official plugins- these are those that were developed by the company that created the original program, or by a partner company with the consent of the program developer, under his control. This plugin is safe to use, but there may be installation fees or monthly usage fees.

Unofficial plugins they are created by folk craftsmen and enthusiasts. They are as good as the official ones, but not always. Often they turn out to be unfinished, which makes their use difficult or impossible. Also, unofficial plugins may contain malicious code that can cause damage. original program or the computer in general. Therefore, if you licensed program, trust only large and trusted plugin developers.

Have you downloaded a lot of suspicious plugins? Then you need to look at them and remove unnecessary ones so as not to slow down the computer.

How to view installed plugins on your computer in the Google Chrome browser

If you notice that your computer starts to slow down when starting the browser, or it takes a long time to start, then the problem may be in browser add-ons. To figure out why this happens, you need to look at the list installed plugins on your computer, and if you have a Google Chrome browser, then this is very easy to do:

Click on the menu button on the right top corner(it looks like three dots), then additional tools - extensions. This is the list of installed plugins.

How to view the list of plugins in Mozilla Firefox

In the Mozilla Firefox browser, viewing the list of plugins is even easier than in Google Chrome: click on the menu button in the upper right corner (looks like three bars), then “add-ons”.

Without them, it is impossible to imagine a comfortable pastime near the computer. Thanks to them, you can not only watch movies and videos on the channel, but also improve the work own blog. We invite you to learn how to install and use useful plugins on personal computer, and also which plugin is better.

What is a plugin on a computer?

Not every Internet user knows what a plugin is and what plugins are needed for. Among them there are useful, not very necessary and even viral ones. Therefore, it is important to know where to find them and how to remove them if necessary. A plugin is an independently controlled software module that is capable of dynamically connecting to the main program, designed to expand or use its capabilities. Plugins are often used for convenience. Thanks to them, you can improve your blog:

get rid of spammers;
change the date and language to Russian;
optimize articles.

Types of plugins

It is important not only to understand what a plugin is, but also to know what types there are. There are these types of plugins:

For browsers – plays animations and videos.
For image editors - effects for processing, new filters.
For programs for working with sounds - tools for applying effects to sound, sample libraries.
For games - they are often called mods or patches, which provide new features in the gameplay, new levels, new characters and do not work separately from the original game.
For websites – used for the convenient functioning of a website or blog. They help optimize articles, translate dates and languages into Russian, and correct links.

How to download the plugin?

You can enjoy all the possibilities of the Internet by installing all the necessary plugins on your computer. We suggest you find out how to download the most popular and in-demand Flash plugin. To do this, it is important to follow these instructions:

Go to page Flash downloads Adobe Player.
Upload file Flash installations. Here you need to pay attention to the checkbox for installing optional programs. If you do not clear the checkbox before downloading, the programs will be installed when you run the Flash installer.
Once the download is complete, you should close your browser.

Why can't the plugin load?

Sometimes beginners and more advanced users facing problems loading plugins. It is especially unpleasant when the main software modules do not work, without which it is impossible to watch videos on the computer. So why won't the plugin load? Experts say there is no single cause for the problem. However, often the problem lies in the software version that is not updated.

Often during installation they uncheck such an important item “ Automatic update when connected to the network." In addition, the cause of the problem may be in the browser. So, one of the differences Opera browser V unstable work plugins. The problem may also be in the long-standing clearing of your browsing history. It is clear that the accumulated excess information in RAM cannot improve the performance of the device. Perhaps the plugin itself was downloaded a long time ago and has never been updated during all this time.

How to install the plugin?

The next step after downloading is to install the plugin Adobe Flash Player. To do this, you must follow these instructions:

Uncheck the box “Yes, install Google Chrome (optional)” and click on the “Download” button.
After redirecting to new page, you will see a special dialog box in which you need to click the “Launch” button. Depending on the browser and settings you use, the file may download automatically. In this case, you need to wait for the download to finish and run the file yourself.

How to run the plugin?

Once the required plugin is downloaded and installed on your computer, it is important to know how to use the plugin in Opera. To do this you need to do the following:

Launch the browser.
In the address field enter opera://plugins.
On the page that opens, find Adobe Flash Player.
Click the “Enable” button.
If the list contains several external modules, you need to select “Show details” and enable the external module.

Why doesn't the plugin work?

There may not be many reasons why the plugin does not work. Often this situation can arise when the browser version you are using is not designed to work with the plugin. In addition, the reason may be that the code of a particular plugin contains errors, that is, there is a probable risk that the plugin will not be supported. This often happens because the user installs some add-ons on a computer that is running a new operating system.

Why doesn't the plugin launch?

Knowing what a plugin is is not enough, it is also important to know how to use it. Sometimes network users are faced with the fact that flash games and video clips do not start. The reason is the disabled Adobe Flash Player plugin, which needs to be activated. We suggest you find out how to enable the plugin. To do this, you need to do one of the following:

Restart your computer. Perhaps after a reboot the plugin will start working. In this case, the module should be run with administrator rights. To do this, right-click on the browser shortcut and select “Properties”, go to the “Compatibility” tab, check the box to run the program as administrator and click “OK”.
Update your browser to the latest version.
Check if the plugin is enabled. To do this, enter about:plugins in the browser line (or browser://plugins for Yandex.Browser, opera://plugins for Opera, chrome://plugins for Chrom) and press “enter”. Having found a plugin, you need to see whether it is enabled or not. If not enabled, you need to click on “enable”.
IN address bar type the same commands and see how many plugins are installed. If there are two, then one needs to be disabled.
Clear cache and cookies.
Scan your computer for viruses. Sometimes they can be the reason why the plugin does not start.

The plugin is not supported - what should I do?

If plugins are not opening, you need to find out what the problem is and fix it as soon as possible. To run the plugin, you need to do the following:

Use a different browser. Maybe, this version browser is not designed to work with a specific plugin.
Delete the existing plugin and upload a new one. The problem may be errors in the code software module.
Go to the official website and download the installation program package.

How to disable plugins?

To disable hidden plugins in different ones, you need to do the following:

IN Google browser Chrome in the address bar enter chrome://plugins.
In the page that opens, find browser plugins.
Find the required plugin and select “Disable”.

How to remove a plugin?

Not all novice Internet users know how to remove Adobe plugin Flash Player. To do this you need:

Download the program Adobe removal Flash Player. You need to save the program where it can be easily found after restarting the computer.
Close all browsers and other programs that use Flash.
Run the uninstaller tool. To do this, double-click on the uninstall programs icon. You must follow the instructions to delete files and folders. Select “Start” - “Run”. Copy and paste - C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash, then click “ok”. Then you need to delete all the files in the folder.
Make sure complete removal software module. You need to restart your computer, open your browser and check for the plugin.