You’ve checked in early, made it through security, found the gate, queued for the line to board and settled into your seat. Yet, despite your best efforts to be ready on time for the flight, it seems as though your plane will never take off. Why? Because you’re waiting for a slot.

A slot is a device in a computer that allows a specific sequence of instructions to be executed. It also serves as a unit of resource allocation, allowing for the dynamic scheduling of tasks. Slots are most commonly used in very long instruction word (VLIW) computers and microprocessors.

The slot comprises the operation issue and data path machinery surrounding a set of one or more execution units that share these resources. A slot is an abstraction that allows for a more flexible and efficient allocation of CPU cycles than if each machine had its own dedicated execute pipeline. In dynamically scheduled machines, a slot is replaced by the concept of an execute pipeline.

Slots are casino games that involve spinning reels marked into vertical segments with varying symbols. If the symbols line up along a pay line, the player wins a prize. Modern slots are available in a variety of themes and levels of complexity, from the classic three-reel machines that first became popular in the 1920s to more advanced video slots. Research on slot games often involves hands-on experience with the actual machines, which helps game designers to discern what features attract and retain players. For example, SG recently launched a system called SG Connect that collects behavioral data from real players and identifies patterns of play. This information can then be used to tweak the machine’s mechanics and increase the casino’s profit margin.