# Difference btwn gem and a plugin?

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/difference-btwn-gem-and-a-plugin/130212>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [February 26, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/difference-btwn-gem-and-a-plugin/130212 "2008-02-26T12:59:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ratnavel](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@ratnavel](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/ratnavel)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/difference-btwn-gem-and-a-plugin/130212/1 "2008-02-26T12:59:31Z")

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Hi all,

Can some one list the difference between a Gem and Plug-in?

Thanks,  
Ratnavel

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**Author:** ![ratnavel](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@ratnavel](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/ratnavel)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 1:18pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/difference-btwn-gem-and-a-plugin/130212/2 "2008-02-26T13:18:02Z")

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Gem is for ruby. It is common for all the applications that uses this  
ruby. Bur plugin is specific for application.

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**Author:** ![ratnavel](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@ratnavel](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/ratnavel)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/difference-btwn-gem-and-a-plugin/130212/3 "2008-02-26T14:21:16Z")

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On 26/02/2008, Karthi kn [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> Gem is for ruby. It is common for all the applications that uses this  
> ruby. Bur plugin is specific for application.

```
                                            "rails applications"

```

-Thomas