GenFSM

GenFSM is a software framework designed to help engineers create finite state machines (FSMs) through generative techniques. It provides tools to encode domain models, constraints, and objectives, and to automatically generate FSMs that satisfy those requirements. The project emphasizes reproducibility and rapid prototyping, enabling teams to explore multiple FSM designs before committing to an implementation. GenFSM aims to bridge model-driven design approaches with executable state-based behavior in software systems and games.

The framework is organized around a modular core and a set of extensions. The core engine manages representations of states, transitions, and actions, while generator modules implement different strategies for construction, including rule-based templating, evolutionary or genetic search, and heuristic or learning-driven methods. An evaluation layer simulates FSM behavior against test suites or environment models, producing fitness scores or quality metrics that guide the search process. Export adapters allow generated FSMs to be emitted in common programming languages or integrated directly into runtime systems.

Users describe a problem model by specifying states, transitions, guards, actions, and success criteria. They can also provide test scenarios or environment simulations to validate behavior. The system then iterates over candidate designs, evaluates them, and retains high-quality solutions for further refinement. GenFSM supports flat, hierarchical, and, where appropriate, Moore or Mealy variants, supporting a range of domains from simple control logic to complex AI behaviors.

Applications include game AI, protocol design and verification, embedded control systems, robotics, and software testing. The project emphasizes careful objective definition to avoid unnecessary complexity in generated designs. GenFSM is maintained as an open-source project with community contributions and accompanying documentation. See also finite state machine, genetic algorithms, and model-driven engineering.