self-rewriting code

noun

UK /ˌsɛlf rɪˈraɪtɪŋ kəʊd/

US /ˌsɛlf rɪˈraɪtɪŋ koʊd/

Code that can change its own instructions while it is running.

The robot's self-rewriting code let it learn a new dance move all by itself.

SYNONYMS

self-modifying code adaptive code self-editing code evolving code

RELATED WORDS

program algorithm machine learning automation software

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A program that updates its own source files to fix bugs or improve speed.

The app used self-rewriting code to patch a small bug overnight.

3. Code that changes itself in response to new data or user actions.

Self-rewriting code helped the game adjust its difficulty to each player.

4. A computer trick where instructions are treated like data and edited on the fly.

The old hacker demo showed self-rewriting code swapping two lines to save memory.