Finite State Machines

This section needs expansion.
You can help by adding to it.

Definition

A finite state machine is a way of breaking down a problem into several mutually independent states that are only able to change when a transition occurs.

Finite State Automaton

A finite state automaton is a finite state machine which has no output. It has a start state and a set of end/accept states. If the automaton can reach an end state then the input is accepted.