I am writing a thesis, where I am using a diagram like this:

http://www.epistemics.co.uk/Notes/Images/state%20diagram.gif

I am using it to describe the normal states and failure states of a
machine. I think it is called a "failure state diagram" but I am not
sure. It is like a Markov diagram, only without numbers describing
probabilty.

I need a reference to put in the references list. A reference to the
book where Markov originally described this diagram would be OK. A
reference to a book describing the diagram without the probabilities
would be even better.

Regards
Paul Swot

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Request for Question Clarification by efn-ga on 18 Aug 2004 20:55 PDT

Hi Mr. Swot,

I think "state transition diagram" as in the title of your question is
the common name for diagrams like this.  Diagrams like this, without
numbers, are used in the Unified Modeling Language (UML) in software
engineering, though the states are usually drawn as rectangles with
rounded corners.  Would a couple of references to books on UML be a
satisfactory answer to your question?

Any computer science text that deals with finite-state automata is
likely to have similar diagrams.  If you would prefer that kind of
reference, I or another researcher can probably dig one up.  A UML
reference would just be easier for me.

--efn

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Clarification of Question by paul_swot-ga on 19 Aug 2004 11:12 PDT

UML is OK - I will consider it a satisfying answer. But a reference
that is in the field of mechanical engineering would be even better.

Regards Paul Swot

Hi Mr. Swot,

Here's a reference that should work for you:

The Unified Modeling Language User Guide, by Grady Booch, James
Rumbaugh, and Ivar Jacobson.  Addison-Wesley (1999).

Chapter 24, pp. 331-339, describes state transition diagrams, which
the book calls "statechart diagrams."

Another well-regarded book on the UML is:

UML Distilled, by Martin Fowler.  Addison-Wesley (third edition, 2003).

This one calls the diagrams "state machine diagrams" or "state
diagrams."  It discusses them in chapter 10.

I hope this information meets your need.  If you need any further
information, please ask for a clarification.

Regards,

--efn

Very fine. I like the "machine" bit.

Thank you for the rating and the tip.