A Finite Automaton is a mathematical model used in computer science to represent and analyze the behavior of systems with a limited number of states. It consists of a finite set of states, including one start state and one or more accept states. The automaton processes input symbols from a defined alphabet and transitions between states based on these inputs, following specific rules. Finite automata can be classified into two types: deterministic finite automata (DFA) and nondeterministic finite automata (NFA). In a DFA, each state has exactly one transition for each input symbol, while an NFA can have multiple transitions for the same input. These models are fundamental in designing compilers, pattern matching, and various algorithms in computer science.