What is the purpose of a plugin in web browsers?

The purpose of a plugin in web browsers is primarily to enhance the browser's ability to work with specific file formats and functionalities that are not natively supported. Plugins allow browsers to extend their capabilities, enabling users to view multimedia content, execute scripts, or interact with various file types effectively. For example, a video player plugin enables the browser to play certain types of video files, while a PDF viewer plugin allows users to open and interact with PDF documents directly within the browser interface. This modular approach enables users to customize their browsing experience to meet individual needs by adding features that might not be inherently available in the standard browser environment.

While other options mention important aspects, such as coding simplifications, security enhancements, and debugging, none directly capture the primary functionality of plugins, which is to support a broader range of content types and functionalities within the browser.