Second Order Metaprogramming

Metaprogramming, in the sense used in this paper (rather than the programming template sense) is the use of a collection of programs which orchestrates other (possibly collections of) programs. One of the requirements of the metaprogramming code is that it must collectively develop a sense of what the situation is and what should be done as a result. Situation awareness is an example technique used to interpret / analyze sensor data into a structured data set which indicates the “awareness” of the situation at that time. What is needed is the ability to functionally adjust both the trigger pattern of input and the resulting behavioural response. This is done through learning. Systems which are able to adjust their own metaprograms are called self-metaprogramming, and learning is a key feature of these systems.