-- $Id: README,v 1.0 1994/08/14 10:27:34 joke Rel $

    This is "self" version 1.0, an Alife creature. (Or at least: a weekend
gimmick.)**


** I found this program on the net a long while ago, I only added some fixes
to make it more compatible. Unfortunately the original author preferred to be
anonymous; well---

You'll need to have the following programs installed on your UNIX system:

    cc		:=  a C compiler
    make	:=  a Makefile interpreter
    rm -rf	:=  deletes (recursively) files/folders
    mkdir/cd	:=  generate folders/change to folder
    diff	:=  a text file comparer
    shar/	:=  a tool to create shell archives
    unshar	:=  a companion tool to restore files from shell archives

Now, at the "example% " prompt type:

	example% unshar self.shar
	example% make test

This replicates "self" and checks whether the whole C-DNA is present. It is
sufficient to pass on the "self.shar" (or whatever archive) file to your
friends.


EXERCISES

    (1) Reduce the number files "self" uses to clone and replicated itself.

    (2) Add a configure(1) script, using GNU's autoconf(1) suit.

    (3) Use a different archiver; e.g. ARC(1), ZOO(1), etc.

    (4) Write and inoculate "self" with a man(1) page.

    (5) Port "self" to a different operating system of your choice.

    (6) Add more fun by replacing the cloning strategy with a "sexual
        reproduction" strategy by introducing "self2".

    (7) Discuss the philosophical implications of self-replicating programs
        with your (most beautiful) neighbor.

    (8) Answer the question: "Is "self" an artifial creature, or artifact?"
        (6,000 words minimum)

Enjoy!

	-joke

    Jörg Heitkötter                                         joke@Germany.EU.net
c/o EUnet Deutschland GmbH         __o               vox humana: +49 231 972 00
    Techno Park                    \<,            fax machina: +49 231 972 1111
    D-44227 Dortmund     ________()/ ()___  *Live's a journey not a destination*