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 inputs or events. It consists of states, transitions, and actions, providing a structured way to model behavior in software, hardware, and theoretical computer science. FSMs are fundamental for implementing logic in areas like parsing, game development, and protocol design.
Developers should learn finite state machines when building systems with clear, discrete states and predictable transitions, such as user interface workflows, network protocols, or game AI. They are particularly useful for managing complex state logic in a maintainable way, reducing bugs by enforcing explicit state changes and improving code readability through visual or textual state diagrams.