Curb Your Self-Modifying Code

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel control framework for self-modifying code using the allagmatic method, inspired by philosophical concepts, to balance flexibility and security in code modifications.

Contribution

It presents a prototype implementation of control mechanisms for self-modifying code based on the allagmatic method, bridging metaphysical concepts with practical code regulation.

Findings

Control mechanisms can restrict code modifications to specific regions and transitions.

The allagmatic method effectively guides self-modification processes.

Analogies between code control and gene regulation are observed.

Abstract

Self-modifying code has many intriguing applications in a broad range of fields including software security, artificial general intelligence, and open-ended evolution. Having control over self-modifying code, however, is still an open challenge since it is a balancing act between providing as much freedom as possible so as not to limit possible solutions, while at the same time imposing restriction to avoid security issues and invalid code or solutions. In the present study, I provide a prototype implementation of how one might curb self-modifying code by introducing control mechanisms for code modifications within specific regions and for specific transitions between code and data. I show that this is possible to achieve with the so-called allagmatic method - a framework to formalise, model, implement, and interpret complex systems inspired by Gilbert Simondon's philosophy of individuation and Alfred North Whitehead's philosophy of organism. Thereby, the allagmatic method serves as guidance for self-modification based on concepts defined in a metaphysical framework. I conclude that the allagmatic method seems to be a suitable framework for control mechanisms in self-modifying code and that there are intriguing analogies between the presented control mechanisms and gene regulation.