Plugin Architecture

Definitions

1. A software design pattern in which the core application defines stable extension points (hooks, events, or interfaces) that external modules can implement to add, modify, or replace functionality at runtime. This enables third-party extensibility without forking or modifying the host.

   In plain English: A way of designing software so that outside developers can extend its capabilities by plugging in their own code at predefined connection points.

   Example: "The plugin architecture uses lifecycle hooks — plugins register onBuild, onEmit, and onDone callbacks that the compiler invokes at each phase."

Related Terms

• Iterator Pattern
• Loose Coupling
• Model-View-Controller
• Model-View-Presenter
• Model-View-ViewModel
• MVC
• MVP Pattern
• Observer
• Plugin
• Presenter
• Service Layer
• Service Object
• Tight Coupling
• Custom Plugin
• Pluggable