Finite State Machine
A Finite State Machine (FSM) is a computational model used to design systems that can be in one of a finite number of states at any given time, with transitions between states triggered by events or inputs. It provides a structured way to model behavior, control flow, and logic in software, hardware, or theoretical systems, often represented using state diagrams or tables. FSMs are fundamental in computer science for tasks like parsing, protocol design, game AI, and user interface management.
Developers should learn FSMs when building systems with clear, discrete states and predictable transitions, such as in embedded systems, network protocols, or game character behavior, to ensure reliability and maintainability. They are particularly useful for implementing complex conditional logic without nested if-else statements, reducing bugs and improving code readability in scenarios like workflow engines or stateful applications.