Genetix is a virtual machine created by theoretical physicist
Bernard Hodson containing only 34 executable instructions.
It was inspired by the principles of
Alan Turing
Alan Mathison Turing (; 23 June 1912 – 7 June 1954) was an English mathematician, computer scientist, logician, cryptanalyst, philosopher and theoretical biologist. He was highly influential in the development of theoretical computer ...
and allows for an entire
operating system
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common daemon (computing), services for computer programs.
Time-sharing operating systems scheduler (computing), schedule tasks for ...
, including a
word processor A word processor (WP) is a device or computer program that provides for input, editing, formatting, and output of text, often with some additional features.
Early word processors were stand-alone devices dedicated to the function, but current word ...
and utilities, to run on 32 kilobytes.
"Genes" are sequences of 50 to 100
pointers
Pointer may refer to:
People with the name
* Pointer (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
* Pointer Williams (born 1974), American former basketball player
Arts, entertainment, and media
* ''Pointer'' (journal), the ...
that either point directly to one of the 34 basic instructions or to another gene. The 700 genes take up approximately 26 kilobytes in size all together. The "gene pool" consists of a closed section and an open section where the users can add their own made genes.
Upsides are security and efficiency.
Hodson suggested that a simple
compiler
In computing, a compiler is a computer program that Translator (computing), translates computer code written in one programming language (the ''source'' language) into another language (the ''target'' language). The name "compiler" is primaril ...
could process any application and that the rules were so simple that an application could be developed without the need for a compiler at all.
He also suggested that
embedded system
An embedded system is a specialized computer system—a combination of a computer processor, computer memory, and input/output peripheral devices—that has a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electronic system. It is e ...
s might be a good market for Genetix.
See also
*
Turing machine
A Turing machine is a mathematical model of computation describing an abstract machine that manipulates symbols on a strip of tape according to a table of rules. Despite the model's simplicity, it is capable of implementing any computer algori ...
*
von Neumann machine (disambiguation)
References
[Mark Ward.]
From little acorns… mighty software can be grown
(archived), ''New Scientist
''New Scientist'' is a popular science magazine covering all aspects of science and technology. Based in London, it publishes weekly English-language editions in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. An editorially separate organ ...
'', 15 November 1997.
[Stefan Dubowski.]
It's time for change
, '' IT World Canada'', 26 May 2005
[Så fungerar Genetix]
" (In Swedish) '' Computer Sweden'' 9 October 2006. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
[Han vill erövra världen]
(In Swedish) ''Computer Sweden'' 9 October 2006. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
External links
Bernard Hodson's page on Genetix
Virtual machines
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