March 28, 2024

Slot

A slot is an opening that receives or places something. It can be any size or shape, and it may have a specific purpose. It can be a job opening, an interior space in a copy desk, or a position in an airplane wing.

The word slot is derived from the Middle English word sleutana, which means “a hollow in the breastbone.” It’s often used as a verb, but it can also mean to fit into something.

In grammatical constructions, slots are a specialized morpheme sequence that fits any given context. For example, a slot is an interior space in a copy desk, a job title at a newspaper, or an authorized position in an airplane wing.

Taxonomy of slots follows two paths: based on relation-element views and slot-argument views. Both promote reuse of knowledge, but the relation-element view is preferred in many cases because it parallels nonslot taxonomy.

Types of slots

The type of slot determines the properties it models, such as content and whether that content can be a one-to-one match or a multiple-to-one match. It also determines whether the slot can model a single word, an array of words, or a combination of both.

Slot functions are static or virtual functions, Lambda expressions, or member functions of a class that can emit signals and connect new slots. These functions cannot partially match slots, so they should be used with extreme care.

A slot authorization is a pre-arranged authorization that allows aircraft to land or take off at an airport. It helps manage air traffic at large airports by preventing repeated delays caused by multiple flights. The number of slots issued varies depending on the airport’s congestion levels.