This is also how PLC's in industrial automation work.
In general, any large hard real-time system. Factories and assembly line automation has a system of state updating devices.
They were initially programmed using Ladder Diagrams, then STX (Structured text) a Pascal like language and IL (Instruction List), Sequential function chart, or Function block diagram. These all use Common Elements (IEC 61131 standard) so, you can mix languages.
They were initially programmed using Ladder Diagrams, then STX (Structured text) a Pascal like language and IL (Instruction List), Sequential function chart, or Function block diagram. These all use Common Elements (IEC 61131 standard) so, you can mix languages.