Self-Replicating System

A Self-Replicating System is a dynamical system that can solve a self-replication task (to create an identical copy of itself).

Context:
- It can typically generate System Copy through autonomous reproduction processes without requiring external assembly.
- It can typically maintain System Integrity during the replication process to ensure functional equivalence.
- It can typically utilize Environmental Resources to construct system components needed for complete replication.
- It can typically transfer System Information to the replicated system through information encoding mechanisms.
- It can typically separate Original System from replicated system after replication completion.
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- It can often adapt Replication Strategy based on environmental conditions and resource availability.
- It can often include Error-Correction Mechanisms to minimize replication errors and maintain system fidelity.
- It can often implement Self-Inspection Processes to verify successful replication.
- It can often evolve Replication Efficiency through iterative improvements over multiple generations.
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- It can range from being a Simple Self-Replicating System to being a Complex Self-Replicating System, depending on its system architecture.
- It can range from being a Rigid Self-Replicating System to being an Adaptive Self-Replicating System, depending on its environmental response capability.
- It can range from being a Closed Self-Replicating System to being an Open Self-Replicating System, depending on its resource acquisition method.
- It can range from being a Slow-Replicating System to being a Rapid-Replicating System, depending on its replication rate.
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- It can have Replication Constraints based on resource limitations and physical boundary conditions.
- It can have Generational Variations through imperfect copying mechanisms leading to system evolution.
- It can have Emergent Propertys that arise from self-replication dynamics and systemic interactions.
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Examples:
- Self-Replicating System Categories, such as:
  - Biological Self-Replicating Systems, such as:
    - Single-Celled Organism that uses cellular division for biological reproduction.
    - Virus that uses host cellular machinery for viral replication.
    - Prion that converts normal proteins into misfolded proteins through templated conversion.
    - Gene that replicates through DNA replication mechanisms.
  - Artificial Self-Replicating Systems, such as:
    - Self-Replicating Machine that builds machine copys using automated manufacturing.
    - Von Neumann Universal Constructor that utilizes programmable assembly for machine reproduction.
    - Self-Replicating Spacecraft that uses extraterrestrial resources for space colonization.
    - 3D Printer That Prints 3D Printers through additive manufacturing processes.
  - Computational Self-Replicating Systems, such as:
    - Computer Virus that spreads through digital infection and code duplication.
    - Self-Replicating Program that creates exact code copys through programmatic replication.
    - Cellular Automaton that exhibits pattern replication through rule-based evolution.
    - Quine (Computing) that outputs own source code through self-reference mechanisms.
- Self-Replicating System Architectures, such as:
  - Autotrophic Self-Replicating System that requires only basic resources for complete replication.
  - Parasitic Self-Replicating System that requires host systems for resource extraction.
  - Symbiotic Self-Replicating System that forms mutual relationships for cooperative replication.
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Counter-Examples:
- Manually Reproduced Systems, which require external intelligence rather than autonomous replication capability.
- System Components, which cannot perform complete self-replication despite being part of self-replicating systems.
- Assembly Line Products, which are manufactured items rather than self-manufacturing systems.
- Disposable Products, which are designed for single use rather than system reproduction.
- Incomplete Replicators, which can reproduce some but not all of their essential components.
See: Reproduction, Evolution, Natural Selection, Von Neumann Universal Constructor, Gray Goo Scenario, Artificial Life, Self-Assembly, Autopoiesis, Replicator (Concept), Cellular Automaton, Emergent Complexity.

References

2023

(Wikipedia, 2023) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replication Retrieved:2023-7-16.
- Self-replication is any behavior of a dynamical system that yields construction of an identical or similar copy of itself. Biological cells, given suitable environments, reproduce by cell division. During cell division, DNA is replicated and can be transmitted to offspring during reproduction. Biological viruses can replicate, but only by commandeering the reproductive machinery of cells through a process of infection. Harmful prion proteins can replicate by converting normal proteins into rogue forms. Computer viruses reproduce using the hardware and software already present on computers. Self-replication in robotics has been an area of research and a subject of interest in science fiction. Any self-replicating mechanism which does not make a perfect copy (mutation) will experience genetic variation and will create variants of itself. These variants will be subject to natural selection, since some will be better at surviving in their current environment than others and will out-breed them.

2016

(Wikipedia, 2016) ⇒ http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replication Retrieved:2016-2-22.
- Self-replication is any behavior of a dynamical system that yields construction of an identical copy of itself. Biological cells, given suitable environments, reproduce by cell division. ...