Generate code from automata I am trying to figure out the process of generating code (set of instructions, implementation language specifics dont matter at this time) from an automaton.

The description of my intent is vague because although I am an electrical engineer, with extensive coding experience, I have no theoretical CS background and I am struggling to even articulate what I mean. The issue at hand is related to a digital circuit that I am working with. At this point I am not even aware of what I need to start looking into. Another way of describing my intent is, say I got a transition model of a process with the data requirements that are associated with the states. Knowing that, can I generate a program that will implement that model? Is there a field of study that deals with problems like this? Or should I just develop some logic to solve a limited interpretation of the model?

I believe I am using incorrect or misleading terms from a CS standpoint but I will appreciate if I can get some guidance on how to formulate my intent and then try to understand the possible solutions, if any.

Thanks!
A simple way to do it is to just write an interpreter that follows the transition table. I.e., do something like (in C):

state = INITIAL;
symbol = get_next();
while(symbol != END) {
   state = table[state][symbol];
   symbol = get_next();
}
if(is_accepting(state))
   /* Accept */


Next simpler is to write a rat's nest of gotos, transferring among them according to the symbol at hand (each label in the program corresponds to a state of the automaton).

Writing a decently organized,structured program from an automaton is possible, but far from automatic (and it would take a fair amount of work to check it really is faithful to the automaton).