System and method for finite state machine processing using action vectors

摘要

A common set of building block action modules perform specific tasks in the finite state machine and are strongly modular in structure. The set of building block action modules can be made up of modules for tasks generic to resource type and modules that are resource type independent. A finite state machine is created for each resource type to govern the steps of activation and deactivation of the resource. Each finite state machine, uniquely defines the new state and action processing for each resource type. To tie the building block action modules to each finite state machine, action vectors are created for each resource type. The action vector correlates a particular action selection by the finite state machine to the dispatching of one or more building block action modules. An action vector can contain a plurality of elements. Each of these elements identifies an action module to which control is passed and a function request pointer. The function pointer identifies the specific function to be performed by the designated action module. The building block action modules are invoked in the order of occurrence of the elements in the action vector.