The concept of a state machine is most likely older that any reader of this reference documentation and definitely older than the Java language itself. Description of finite automata dates back to 1943 when gentlemen 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’ve ever read anything about state machines, the names Mealy and Moore should have popped up at some point.

This reference documentation contains the following parts.

Part I, “Introduction” introduction to this reference documentation

Part IV, “Using Spring Statemachine” describes the usage of Spring Statemachine(SSM)

Part VI, “State Machine Examples” more detailed state machine examples

Part VII, “FAQ” frequently asked questions

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