Tier 3
Series 200
200A: The Flight State
"A pilot cannot be "Taxiing" and "Flying" at the same time. These are exclusive states. If your AI uses independent booleans for logic (isFlying, isTaxiing), you risk a "Logic Crash" where the plane tries to fly while taxiing. A skilled Architect audits for Finite State Machines."
The Concept: Finite State Machines (FSM)
An FSM ensures a system is in exactly ONE state at a time. This prevents conflicting logic behaviors.
* **Enum:** A custom list of named states (Idle, Patrol, Chase).
* **Switch Statement:** The logic gate that checks the current state and runs only the relevant code.
* **Enum:** A custom list of named states (Idle, Patrol, Chase).
* **Switch Statement:** The logic gate that checks the current state and runs only the relevant code.
Red Flag Detected
The AI Trap: "The Boolean Tangle"
You ask the AI: "Create a drone that can idle, patrol, and attack."
// AI-Generated Code: Conflicting Logic
public bool isIdle;
public bool isPatrolling;
public bool isAttacking;
void Update() {
if (isIdle) { ... }
if (isPatrolling) { ... }
// Audit Fail: What happens if both are true?
}
This is "State Ambiguity." It is mathematically possible for this drone to be Idle AND Attacking simultaneously, causing bugs that are impossible to trace.
Elite Telemetry
Research shows "Elite" teams achieve 15% faster lead times by keeping AI on a "very tight leash."
- Small Batches Solving one problem at a time prevents logic drift.
- Modular Design Localizing the "blast radius" of AI changes.
- Tight Loops Rapid iteration with constant code review.
The Architect's Correction
Corrective Protocol
// Corrected: Exclusive States
public enum DroneState { Idle, Patrol, Attack }
public DroneState currentState;
void Update() {
switch (currentState) {
case DroneState.Idle: DoIdle(); break;
case DroneState.Patrol: DoPatrol(); break;
}
}
Your Pilot Command
> A skilled Architect directs the AI to use an Enum for states. You command: "Use an Enum to define exclusive states and a switch statement to handle logic."