self-modification

computer science

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Last updated

July 15, 2026

Quick Summary

Self-modification in computer science refers to a program's ability to alter its own instructions while it is running. This capability is fundamental to achieving a truly general-purpose machine, allowing programs to read and operate on other programs as data.1

While Konrad Zuse viewed this as potentially risky, self-modification is essential for computers to adapt and perform a wide range of tasks beyond their initial programming. One of the earliest uses of self-modification was in computer language translation, where programs could modify themselves to interpret and execute instructions written in different "languages". This ability is crucial for creating sophisticated software and enabling computers to solve problems that may not have been anticipated when they were built.1

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Machine language
…they would be capable of self-modification. Konrad Zuse had looked upon this possibility as “making a contract with the Devil” because of the potential for abuse, and he had chosen not to implement it in his machines. But self-modification was essential for achieving a true general-purpose machine.
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…they would be capable of self-modification. Konrad Zuse had looked upon this possibility as “making a contract with the Devil” because of the potential for abuse, and he had chosen not to implement it in his machines. But self-modification was essential for achieving a true general-purpose machine.
Read More