What is the purpose of a state machine in software development?
A state machine is a computational model used in software development to design the behavior of systems based on their states and transitions. Its primary purpose is to manage complex logic by defining a finite set of states and the allowable transitions between them. This provides clarity and organization, making the code more maintainable and easier to understand. State machines are particularly useful in applications requiring event-driven workflows, such as user interface controls or protocol parsing. They help simulate conditions and behaviors in a predictable manner, enhancing reliability.