Concept of a state machine is most likely older that any of a reader of this reference documentation and definitely older than a Java language itself. Description of finite automate dates back to 1943 when gentlemens Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts wrote a paper about it. Later George H. Mealy presented a state machine concept in 1955 which is known as a Mealy Machine. A year later in 1956 Edward F. Moore presented another paper which is known as a Moore Machine. If you’re ever read anything about state machines, names Mealy and Moore should have popped up at some point.

This reference documentations contains following parts.

Part I, “Introduction” introduction to this reference documentation

Part III, “Using Spring Statemachine” describes the usage of Spring State Machine(SSM)

Part V, “State Machine Examples” more detailed state machine samples

Part VI, “FAQ” frequently ask questions

Part VII, “Appendices” generic info about used material and state machines