Állapotgépmodellek

Állapotgépmodellek, known in English as state machine models or finite state machines (FSMs), are mathematical models of computation used to design both computer hardware and computer software. An állapottér, or state space, is a set of all possible states an állapotgép can be in. The gép, or machine, can only be in one state at a time. It transitions from one state to another in response to some external inputs. The set of states and the transitions between them form the core of the model.

There are two main types of állapotgépmodellek: deterministic and non-deterministic. In a deterministic állapotgép, for each state and input, there is exactly one next state. In a non-deterministic állapotgép, for each state and input, there can be zero, one, or more next states. This distinction influences how they are implemented and analyzed.

Állapotgépmodellek are widely used in various fields. They are fundamental to the design of digital circuits, compilers, network protocols, and artificial intelligence. Their simplicity and clear representation of behavior make them powerful tools for modeling systems that change their behavior over time based on a finite set of conditions. The concept is often visualized using state diagrams, where circles represent states and arrows represent transitions labeled with the input that triggers them.