Plugin Architecture
Plugin architecture is a software design pattern that enables extending an application's functionality through modular, interchangeable components called plugins. It allows developers to add new features without modifying the core system, promoting flexibility, maintainability, and scalability. This pattern is widely used in applications like IDEs, web browsers, and content management systems to support third-party extensions.
Developers should use plugin architecture when building applications that require extensibility, such as tools with user-customizable features or platforms supporting integrations. It's ideal for scenarios where the core system must remain stable while allowing dynamic addition of functionality, reducing code complexity and enabling community contributions. Common use cases include developing IDEs like Visual Studio Code, e-commerce platforms with payment gateways, or media players with codec support.