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Main Types of Plugins |
Products based on the IntelliJ Platform can be modified and adjusted for custom purposes by adding plugins. All downloadable plugins are available at the JetBrains Plugin Repository.
The most common types of plugins include:
- Custom language support
- Framework integration
- Tool integration
- User interface add-ons
Custom language support provides basic functionality for working with a particular programming language. This includes:
- File type recognition
- Lexical analysis
- Syntax highlighting
- Formatting
- Code insight and code completion
- Inspections and quick-fixes
- Intention actions
Refer to the Custom Language Support Tutorial to learn more about the topic.
Framework integration consists of improved code insight features which are typical for a given framework, as well as the option to use framework-specific functionality directly from the IDE. Sometimes it also includes language support elements for a custom syntax or DSL.
- Specific code insight
- Direct access to framework-specific functionality
Refer to the Struts 2 plugin as an example of framework integration.
Tool integration makes it possible to manipulate third-party tools and components directly from the IDE without switching contexts.
This implies:
- Implementation of additional actions
- Related UI components
- Access to external resources
Refer to the Gerrit integration plugin as an example.
Plugins in this category apply various changes to the standard user interface of the IDE. Some newly added components are interactive and provide new functionality, while others are limited to visual modifications only. The Background Image plugin may serve as an example.