Core Characteristics of Software 4.0: Code becomes a runtime-native artifact. Instead of being written upfront and stored statically, it is dynamically generated, executed, validated, and often discarded on demand. Applications evolve into "platform + sandbox" environments that deliver unlimited, just-in-time functionality. Agentic by default. AI is no longer a passive tool but an autonomous entity capable of planning, acting, remembering, collaborating, and self-optimizing. Programming shifts from writing code to designing agent scaffolds and orchestrating multi-agent systems. A fundamental shift from human-centric to machine-centric computing. Humans set high-level objectives and guardrails, while machines handle execution, iteration, and breakthrough innovation. Key challenges include security (sandboxing and trust inversion), verification (runtime validation instead of pre-deployment testing), and the evolving role of developers — who now build platforms rather than individual features.

C@C

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