recursive-simplicity

Chapter 3 of David Gelernter's "Mirror Worlds" develops a comprehensive model of software as an embodied information machine, emphasizing the dual nature of software as both a document and a dynamic, running machine. It introduces the conceptual framework of computational landscapes divided into plots and executed by an Actor following scripts, and stresses the critical design goals of efficiency and clarity, achieved through principles like recursive simplicity and modularization. The chapter concludes by linking software design to the physical computer hardware, explaining how high-level programming languages are compiled into machine language instructions executed by the processor and memory.

Chapter 7 of 'Mirror Worlds' primarily consists of extensive citations and an index that collectively frame the intellectual and thematic landscape of the book. The references span diverse topics such as gardens as microcosms, software as both machine and document, ensembles in problem-solving, and the architecture of Mirror Worlds, emphasizing the interplay between physical and informational systems. The index further elaborates on key concepts like software clarity, recursive simplicity, and the role of ensembles, underscoring the book's focus on modeling complex realities through layered, interactive software environments.