1. A programmable finite state biomolecular automaton for performing a computation wherein said computation is performed autonomously in a single solution-and container, comprising: (a) a polymeric biomolecule as input to the automaton comprising substrate polymeric biomolecules and transition biomolecules, such that the automaton is programmable according to a selection of said polymeric biomolecule; and (b) a plurality of biomolecule-manipulating components with the proviso that said biomolecule-manipulating components do not include a polymerase; wherein the automaton is capable of forming an output biomolecule by manipulating said biomolecule with said plurality of biomolecule-manipulating components, wherein each manipulation is autonomously performed in the absence of external intervention to perform the computation such that said output biomolecule comprises a result of the computation; and wherein said input, manipulating, and output biomolecules are mixed in said single container forming said single solution.