When you select a new user method or controller (particularly the Optimization controller), slots may be added. These slots are required by the method and/or the controller. If the method is later changed to a method that does not require the slot, the slots are made non-visible, but they still exist and can hold data. Depending on the model, these non-visible slots can bloat the model file. Prior to RiverWare version 9.5, there was no way to find these slots, let alone delete them. You could re-select the method and delete the data, but not the entire slot.

This section describes a tool to find non-visible slots and optionally delete them.

To access the tool, use the Workspace, then Slots, then Find Non-Visible Slots menu. The Search Slots utility opens with Find Non-Visible Slots selected.

When it first opens, it will automatically perform a search. If you make changes to the model, you can trigger a search using the Search button.

As noted, the utility will find slots that are physical slots (non-accounting) and that are not required by any currently selected method or not a general slot required by the current run controller. It will find slots added by methods that are no longer selected, water quality methods, or controller specific methods.

Shown in the table is the object icon, object name, slot name, information on the size, unit type and step size for series slots. Hover over the Info icon to find all the methods that require that slot and could have added that slot.

This utility can also be used to find slot descriptions as described Searching Slot Descriptions and Find Inputs as described Finding Inputs.

If you decide these slots are no longer needed, you can delete them. Highlight the desired slots or use Ctrl-A to select them all. Then use the Delete Slots button. A confirmation will ask if you are sure.

If you delete a slot and then reselect the method that required the slot, it will add the slot a new.