CCF does not begin with a memorized pattern. It begins by separating what must be produced, what evidence is available, and which decisions are lawful.
Answer Space
The Answer Space defines the required result: its form, meaning, completeness, ordering, and any conditions it must satisfy.
Problem Space
The Problem Space is the evidence supplied by the problem: inputs, relationships, ordering, constraints, and observable state.
Decision Space
The Decision Space contains the lawful moves available from the evidence. It is where a scanner, recorder, operation, or state transition becomes justified rather than guessed.
Intent
Intent states the exact job of the current step. It prevents an implementation from accumulating movement that does not advance the required answer.
Scope
Scope names the portion of evidence or state currently under consideration. A scanner changes scope; a proof explains why the required answer remains reachable or becomes complete.
Route
The route is the sequence of lawful decisions from the initial scope to a completed answer. Constraints validate the route’s computational and structural viability; they are evidence, not a separate pipeline stage.
Invariant
The invariant is the condition that remains true after every lawful move. It connects local movement to global correctness.
How they work together
Define the answer, read the evidence, choose a lawful decision, state the step’s intent, move the scope, preserve the invariant, and finish only when the answer conditions are satisfied. Code then transcribes that reasoning into the target language.