= State machine
{title2=$s_{t+1}=F(s_t)$}
A computational model with an internal state and transition rule, together with an initial state and optional observation and stopping functions. The state space need not be finite; a <finite-state machine> is the special case with finitely many states. A trace records observations along transitions. An interface providing only reset, update, stopping and observation operations does not by itself provide copying or rollback; a trace <iterator> can revisit saved observations without reversing machine effects.
Back to article page