PerformNextStep

PerformNextStep is a method used in various programming and automation contexts to advance an ongoing process by one step along a predefined sequence. The term is generic and can apply to state machines, workflow engines, robotic controllers, or scripting utilities that implement stepwise execution.

Typically, an object or controller maintains an ordered collection of steps and an index indicating the current position. When performNextStep is invoked, it runs the step at the current index, updates the index, and returns a status such as in_progress, completed, or failed. End-of-sequence handling may set a completed flag and prevent further advancement until a reset or reinitialization occurs.

Design considerations include determinism, idempotence, and error handling. Implementations may support asynchronous steps, safety checks before advancing, and observers that log transitions. Concurrency concerns arise when multiple agents could call performNextStep simultaneously on the same process, potentially requiring locking, transaction boundaries, or single-threaded execution guarantees.

Common use cases include advancing through stages in a deployment pipeline, iterating test suites, guiding a robot through a task plan, or driving a user workflow where each step depends on the outcome of the previous one. The method provides a simple mechanism to model and monitor progress in complex tasks by exposing a single entry point to move forward.

Related concepts include nextStep methods in iterator patterns and step runners in workflow systems. While simple in concept, performNextStep is central to reliable progress tracking and clear provenance of each transition.