Mambo is a powerful content management system that allows for great flexibility and extensibility. The default Mambo installation represents only a fraction of what Mambo can actually do. Many Mambo extensions exist thanks to a design that makes it easy to create new components and modules, and to add them to an existing installation.

Extensions are sometimes referred to as plugins or add-ons. They are essentially mini-applications that extend the functions of Mambo. Extensions are usually components, modules, or both. Mambots are also sometimes offered as extensions. Let's look at what these three terms mean.

Components:  Components are Mambo's content elements or applications that usually appear in the center of a three column Mambo layout, or on the right of a two column Mambo layout. Components are core elements of Mambo functionality. Mambo core components include: Banners, Contact, News Feeds, Polls and Web Links.

Modules: Modules extend the capabilities of Mambo giving the software new functionality.Modules are small content items that can be displayed anywhere that your template allows it to be displayed. Modules are very easy to install in the Admin Section. Mambo modules may include: Main Menu, Top menu, Template Chooser, Polls, Newsflash, Hit Counter, etc.

Mambots:  A Mambot is a small, task-oriented function that intercepts content before it is displayed and manipulates it in some way. Mambo provides a number of Mambots in the core distribution.

Members of the Mambo Community are producing third party Mambo extensions on a continuous basis. There are a number of extensions directories around and 3rd party developers (3PD's) use the Mambo forums to announce new extensions and updates.

Since Mambo 4.6 was released, it has become less important for an end-user to know the difference between components, modules and mambots.  In earlier versions of Mambo, these were each installed a little differently. Now, however, the Universal Installer takes care of installing them all.  A basic understanding is still useful however, as the Administrator Backend still lists these extensions by their function.  In time, as we redesign the Backend, this will change.