A slot is a narrow opening. It can be slit for a coin in a vending machine. Depending on the type of slot, it may be used for receiving signals.

Slots are useful for avoiding repeated delays. They are also a keyway in machinery. If a slot expects a signal, it will report a runtime error. In addition, a signal emitted from a class other than the one defining the signal can cause a private slot to be invoked in the unrelated class.

Whether you’re using a slot for a function call, a signal, or a combination, you’ll want to follow normal C++ rules. That means the slot’s signature must contain no fewer arguments than the signal’s signature.

To use a slot, you can either use the slot> element or the QObject::connect() macro. Connecting a signal to a slot is relatively simple, but it does require some overhead.

Emitting a signal connected to a slot is ten times slower than calling a receiver directly. Besides the cost of the operation, you’ll need to marshal parameters and iterate over all the connections. The overhead is much less than the cost of calling a function or running an operation.

Using a slot can help professionals set important deadlines and organize their team’s workflow. It can also improve communication and encourage teams to work together.

Slots are a flexible method that can be applied in a variety of settings. You can use them to plan informal meetings with staff or managers, as well as to organize evaluation reviews.