State diagram vs. state table: clarify the definition “A state diagram is a table of states.” Decide whether this statement correctly identifies the representation.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Incorrect

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Finite-state machine (FSM) behavior can be represented in several ways, most commonly as a state diagram (graphical) or a state table (tabular). Distinguishing these forms is basic to digital design documentation and problem-solving.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • State diagram: nodes (circles) represent states; directed edges represent transitions labeled by input/output conditions.
  • State table: rows list present states, inputs, next states, and outputs in tabular form.
  • Both describe the same machine but use different media.


Concept / Approach:
A diagram is not a table. A state diagram is a graph-based drawing; a state table is a matrix-style listing. The statement incorrectly equates the two. While they are equivalent descriptions in information content, they are distinct representations.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the artifact: “state diagram.”Recall its elements: nodes and directed arcs with conditions.Contrast with “state table”: structured rows and columns enumerating transitions.Therefore, the statement is incorrect.


Verification / Alternative check:
Open any textbook’s FSM chapter: both are presented, with examples showing the same system rendered as a graph and as a table, explicitly contrasting the formats.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Only correct for Mealy/Moore machines” is a red herring; the distinction between diagram and table is independent of machine type.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming that because they are equivalent in content they are the same form; mixing symbols from diagrammatic notation into tables.


Final Answer:
Incorrect

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