Core evolution: Emergence of cooperative structures in a computational chemistry

We have developed an artificial ecology in the computer core, where one is able to evolve assembler-automaton code without any predefined evolutionary path. The system, in the present version has one dimension, is updated in parallel, the instructions are only able to communicate locally, and the system is continuously subjected to noise. The system also has a notion of computational resources. Depending on the specified parameters and the level of complexity of distance from a randomized core, this electronic garden is started at, we see different evolutionary paths. For several initial conditions the system is able to develop extremely viable cooperative programs (organisms ) which totally dominates the core. This demonstrates the emergence of complex functional properties in a computational environment. 21 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.