One State is a clearly defined moment in the process – a slice of logical time.
For example:
The cylinder is retracted.
The operator presses Start.
The computation is running.
The machine is waiting for feedback.
In each state the actions, monitors and reactions are unambiguously defined.
The machine can be in only one state at a time .
As soon as the conditions to advance are met, it leaves that state and transitions to the next.
That sounds simple, but it has far-reaching consequences:
Such a process is deterministic – that means its behavior is predictable and mathematically describable.
There are no coincidences, no hidden dependencies and no uncontrolled side effects.
Every movement, every step has a defined cause and a verifiable effect.
