Lisaliidest

Lisaliidest is the Estonian term for an interface designed to connect and integrate additional components into a host system. The word combines lisa ('add') and liides ('interface'), and in English it is often rendered as "extension interface" or "plugin interface." It refers to the set of rules, APIs, and mechanisms that allow external modules to interact with a core system without altering its internal code.

Typically, lisaliides define an application programming interface, extension points, and a lifecycle for modules. A plugin manager or loader handles discovery, loading, isolation, and activation of these modules. They enable the host to be extended with new features, integrations, or data formats without rebuilding the entire system.

Key design considerations include stability and backward compatibility, security and access control, performance, and clear versioning. Good lisaliides provide well-documented contracts, isolation between the host and extensions, and robust error handling. Dependency management and clear deprecation policies help maintain long-term viability as the ecosystem evolves.

In software, lisaliides are common in plugin architectures, IDEs, content management systems, media players, and other extensible applications. In hardware contexts, lisaliides can refer to expansion connectors or ports that allow additional modules or peripherals to be attached to a device.

Overall, lisaliidest underpin modular design by enabling decoupled growth: the host offers stable extension points, while external modules provide new capabilities within defined boundaries.