What is a plug in?

[Parrot_Clan]

I completed downloading Adobe Flash Player 12.  I did have Adobe Flash Player 9 on my notebook.  The last down load was recommended in order for me to get to a document for a college course I am taking.  I did a computer check, and got a green checkmark for the system and browser, but a Failed on flash.  There is a reference to Flash Player not having a adobe plug in.  what is this and how do I get this on my notebook.  I need this plug in for the test assessmnet portion of my course.  Help

[C_F_McBlob]

Flash Player for ActiveX (Internet Explorer)

Flash Player Plug-in (All other browsers)

Flash Player (Mac OS X)

THOSE are the installers for the "plug-ins".

A "plug-in" is a component that installs as part of another application, like a filter in Photoshop. It's not a full application, but a "helper" for certain things the full application does when "called to".