There are several ways to share data and state between the main application and loaded plugins. Here are a few common approaches:
Interface Definition: Define a clear set of interfaces that both the main application and plugins adhere to. This includes defining data structures, events, and method signatures. The main application and plugins can communicate with each other through these interfaces, passing data and state as needed.
Dependency Injection: Use dependency injection to provide necessary dependencies (such as shared data or state objects) to plugins when they are loaded. This allows plugins to interact with the main application's data and state directly.
Event-driven Architecture: Establish an event-based communication mechanism where the main application and plugins can raise and subscribe to events. Plugins can listen for specific events and respond accordingly with the shared data or state.
Shared Data Store: Maintain a shared data store or state container that can be accessed by both the main application and plugins. This can be a centralized database, a message queue, or a global cache. Both sides can read and write to this store to exchange information.
Messaging Protocols: Define a messaging protocol between the main application and plugins using a protocol like HTTP, WebSocket, or custom IPC (Inter-process communication). Messages can contain data and state updates, allowing the main application and plugins to communicate asynchronously.
Plugin API: Create a well-documented API specifically for plugins, which exposes necessary methods and data to interact with the main application's data and state. The main application can provide an API for plugins to utilize, enabling seamless sharing of data and state.
Note that the specific approach may vary depending on the programming language, framework, and architecture of the application and plugins. Choose an approach that aligns with the requirements and constraints of your specific use case.