fullextension

Fullextension is a term used in software development to describe an extension that ships with a complete set of features, delivering full functionality within a single package rather than deferring capabilities to multiple, smaller plugins. The term is not universally standardized and is used informally in various vendor and community discussions.

In practice, fullextension is most often discussed in the context of client software such as web browsers, integrated development environments, and content management systems, where extensions extend core functionality. A fullextension aims to be self-contained, providing UI, logic, data storage, and integration points without requiring a network of dependent extensions.

Key characteristics include self-contained scope, a defined interface to the host platform, predictable performance, and security boundaries such as sandboxing. A fullextension typically includes its own user interface components, configuration options, and data models, minimizing cross-extension interactions.

Advantages include simpler deployment, reduced version-compatibility concerns, and a consistent user experience. Challenges include potentially larger update payloads, reduced flexibility to mix and match features, risk of duplication across components, and tighter coupling with a host platform’s APIs.

Common use cases include enterprise software where a single extension provides a full feature domain, or consumer apps where a plugin suite is bundled as a single package for easier distribution. The concept remains informal, and different ecosystems may define fulfillment criteria differently.

See also: browser extension, plugin, modular architecture, extension framework.