A slot is a dynamic placeholder that either waits for content (passive) or calls out to get it (active). A slot gets its content from a scenario using either an Add Items to Slot action or by pointing to a repository with content in it. Scenarios specify the content that is to be placed into a slot and renderers specify the way in which that content will appear on the page. Slots work in tandem with scenarios to deliver content to pages; see the Using Slots chapter of the ATG Personalization Programming Guide for more information.
The first slot machine was invented in the 19th century by New Yorkers Sittman and Pitt, which had five reels that paid out when poker symbols lined up on the pay line. Charles Fey improved on their invention by adding three more reels and replacing the poker symbols with diamonds, spades, horseshoes, hearts, and Liberty Bells — the latter giving the machine its name.
The term slot also refers to an allocated, scheduled time for an aircraft to take off or land, as authorized by an airport or air-traffic authority. In ice hockey, it is the unmarked area near the center of the face-off circle. Other uses include: