Tutorial

The parts of the tutorial are best read in sequence.

• Creating Rules introduces the rule window using a simple decision table example to show how Statestep's dynamic highlighting scheme helps you to quickly create new rules.
• Using the Constraint Table describes how to use the constraint table to define constraints in order to restrict the set of possible combinations while getting feedback on the effect of these constraints.
• Rules and Constraints explains the way values are coloured in the rule window after some combinations have become impossible as a result of constraints.
• Working with Overlaps shows how it can be useful to allow more than one rule define an outcome for the same combination, at least until all the rules have been defined.
• Conflicts and Modeling Non-determinism addresses the issue of inconsistent rules and the related topic of how to model choice or uncertainty.
• Finite State Machines, Violations shows how the tool can be used to model finite state machine behaviour and ensures that undesirable states are not reachable.
• Using Formulas for Constraints describes the two cases where you need to use a formula to express a constraint and how such constraints are managed.
• Using Formulas for Rules illustrates how a formula can be used to help define a rule and gives some advice on their use.
• Autodeletion of Rules explains what's meant by a variable's "default value" and how this is used to determine which rules to preserve and which to delete when a variable is deleted.

More information on the practical use and theory of the notation supported by the tool can be found in documents available on the website.