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Using Simple Finite State Machines - Fsm(C++)

Using Simple Finite State Machines - Fsm(C++)

One of the most fundamental and pervasive control structures in computer science is the finite state machine (Fsm). Finite state machines are used in a wide variety of computer applications, including call processing in electronic switching systems, event-driven interactive dialogues, and lexical analysis of computer programs.

An Fsm may be either hardware or software devices. A hardware Fsm may be called for when the `program' is fixed and maximum processing speed is essential: consider using an Fsm to convert between two standard communication protocols in real time. When flexibility is more important than speed, however, an Fsm may be constructed in software. The `program' of a software Fsm can be defined--and even redefined--at runtime.

This tutorial is concerned with software Fsm issues. It illustrates, by means of four complete examples, a C++ library component named Fsm(C++) specifically designed to allow programmers to define and use a simple Fsm in C++ programs.


Next topic: What is a Finite State Machine?

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