gstreamer/docs/pwg/basics-elements.xml

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<chapter id="cha-basics-elements">
<title>Elements, Plugins, and Filters</title>
<para>
In the &GStreamer; framework, a <emphasis>plugin</emphasis> is a specific
sort of code module that gets loaded when a program requests the
functionality that the plugin provides. A plugin is essentially a shared
code library.
<emphasis>Filters</emphasis> are an
important subset of plugins that process data, as opposed to producing or
consuming data. (Producers and consumers of data are called
<emphasis>source</emphasis> and <emphasis>sink</emphasis> plugins,
respectively.)
</para>
<para>
Elements are at the core of &GStreamer;. Without elements, &GStreamer; is
just a bunch of pipe fittings with nothing to connect. A large number of
elements (filters, sources, and sinks) ship with &GStreamer;, but extra
elements can also be written. The purpose of this guide is to help you
learn to create new elements.
</para>
<para>
An element may be constructed in several different ways, but all must
conform to the same basic rules. This guide presents one basic way to build
a filter elementA simple filter may be built with the
FilterFactory, where the only code that need be written is the actual filter
code. A more complex filter, or a source or sink, will need to be written
out fully for complete access to the features and performance possible with
&GStreamer;.
</para>
<para>
The implementation of a new element will be contained in a plugin: a single
plugin may contain the implementation of several elements, or just a single
one.
</para>
</chapter>