First released in 1996, Flash Player is freeware software for viewing multimedia, executing rich internet applications, and streaming video and audio content created by Flash. Flash Player can run from a web browser by using a plugin, or on supported mobile devices, but there also exist versions running directly on an operating system intended both for regular users and content developers.
Flash Player that runs SWF files, was created by Macromedia. After its acquisition, it's developed and distributed by Adobe Systems.
Flash Player supports vector and raster graphics, 3D graphics, an embedded ActionScript executed in ActionScript Virtual Machine, and streaming of video and audio. Flash Player has a wide user base, with over 90 percent penetration on internet connected PCs. It's a common format for games, animations, and GUIs embedded into web pages.
