Web Browser Extension
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A Web Browser Extension is a software system add-on that extends the functionality of a web browser.
- AKA: Browser Add-on, Browser Plugin, Web Extension.
- Context:
- It can typically enhance Web Browser with custom functionality.
- It can typically modify browser interface through ui customization.
- It can typically interact with web content via content scripts.
- It can typically manage browser data through browser apis.
- ...
- It can often provide user interface elements through browser toolbars.
- It can often manipulate webpage content through dom manipulation.
- It can often handle network requests via request interception.
- It can often store extension data using browser storage.
- ...
- It can range from being a Simple Browser Widget to being a Complex Browser Application, depending on its functionality scope.
- It can range from being a Basic UI Extension to being an Advanced Feature Extension, depending on its implementation complexity.
- ...
- It can integrate with browser apis for core functionality.
- It can connect to external services for extended capability.
- It can support web standards for compatibility.
- ...
- Examples:
- Browser Extension Types, such as:
- Browser Platform Extensions, such as:
- Chrome Extensions, such as:
- Firefox Extensions, such as:
- ...
- Counter-Examples:
- MS Office Add-In, which operates within office applications rather than web browsers.
- Bookmarklet, which is a browser bookmark containing javascript code rather than a full extension.
- Native Application, which runs independently of the web browser.
- See: Computer Program, Plug-In (Computing), Browser API, Web Technology, Extension Manifest, Content Script, Background Script.
References
2023
- (Wikipedia, 2023) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_extension Retrieved:2023-1-4.
- A browser extension is a small software module for customizing a web browser. Browsers typically allow a variety of extensions, including user interface modifications, cookie management, ad blocking, and the custom scripting and styling of web pages.
2022
- (Wikipedia, 2022) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Chrome#Extensions Retrieved:2022-11-16.
- Browser extensions are able to modify Google Chrome. They are supported by the browser's desktop edition.[1] These extensions are written using web technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. They are distributed through Chrome Web Store, initially known as the Google Chrome Extensions Gallery.[1] On September 9, 2009, Google enabled extensions by default on Chrome's developer channel, and provided several sample extensions for testing. In December, the Google Chrome Extensions Gallery beta began with approximately 300 extensions.[2][3] It was launched on January 25, 2010, along with Google Chrome 4.0, containing approximately 1500 extensions. In 2014, Google started preventing some Windows users from installing extensions not hosted on the Chrome Web Store. The following year Google reported a "75% drop in customer support help requests for uninstalling unwanted extensions" which led them to expand this restriction to all Windows and Mac users.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rakowski, Brian (December 8, 2009). "Google Chrome Extensions Blog Announcement". Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ↑ Rakowski, Brian (December 8, 2009). [Rakowski, Brian (December 8, 2009). “Google Chrome for the holidays: Mac, Linux and extensions in beta". Official Google Blog. Retrieved March 9, 2017. “Google Chrome for the holidays: Mac, Linux and extensions in beta"]. Official Google Blog. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
- ↑ Rakowski, Brian (May 25, 2010). "A new Chrome stable release: Welcome, Mac and Linux!". Chrome Blog. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
2013
- (Wikipedia, 2013) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/browser_extension Retrieved:2013-12-2.
- A browser extension is a computer program that extends the functionality of a web browser in some way. Depending on the browser and the version, the term may be distinct from similar terms such as plug-in or add-on.