Which of the following is a valid real-world application where a Finite State…
2025
Which of the following is a valid real-world application where a Finite State Machine (FSM) model is appropriately used?
- A.
Managing dynamic memory allocation in operating systems
- B.
Performing matrix multiplication in numerical computation
- C.
Implementing recursive function calls in compilers
- D.
Modeling the behavior of lexical analyzers in language processing
Attempted by 44 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Finite State Machines (FSMs) are computational models ideal for systems that transition between a finite number of states based on inputs. In compiler design, lexical analyzers use FSMs to scan source code character by character and recognize tokens like keywords, identifiers, or operators. Each token type corresponds to a specific state sequence, making FSMs the standard tool for this task.
Option A is incorrect because memory allocation involves complex data structures and dynamic resource management, not simple state transitions.
Option B is wrong since matrix multiplication relies on arithmetic operations and linear algebra algorithms rather than state logic.
Option C involves recursion, which uses a stack data structure for function calls, it is not primarily modeled as an FSM.
Option D is the only valid application where FSMs are appropriately used.