Chrome Extensions or (Add-Ons) are used to extend the functions of the Google Chrome and the Chromium browser. The extension mechanism allows regular web developers with some experience with HTML and Javascript to add functions to the browser, either as a browser bar button or behind the scenes function, in three ways:
As a “Content Script“, the extra function performs some new action on web pages that you visit. The script resides in the background of the browser and when a certain page or any page is displayed, the content script extension may add content, links, css or any adjustment to the page you desire. See examples below.
As a “Browser Action” extension, extra functions to the browser, regardless of what page you are viewing, can be added. Usually in the form of a button on the browser navigation bar, the extension will cause some popup window to appear and offer to perform some extra functions.
As a “Page Action“, the extension will perform some function on the specific page you are viewing.
Chrome Extensions can be a combination of all three and are an easy way to quickly add features for users to enhance their browser experience. The Google Chrome and Chromium developers have made extensions easy to build and rather safe to install.
Examples of a browser extension are:
There are now over a thousand Chrome Extensions in the official Google Extension Gallery.
Not all versions of Google Chrome or the Chromium browser support extension as yet, but shortly they will.
If you want to build your own extension, you need to know HTML and preferably HTML5, Javascript and the DOM. With this knowledge in hand next visit the extension developer site.
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