16. A system comprising one or more machine-readable media that store thereon a first translator for translating a first computer language into a second computer language, and a second translator that converts the second language into active element instructions, which are instructions that are implemented by an active element machine and which indicate settings of parameters of components of the active element machine, which is a man-made machine that includes at least a multiplicity of man-made computing elements, and a multiplicity of man-made couplings communicatively connecting the multiplicity of man-made computing elements to one another, such that the man-made couplings are capable of transmitting messages between the multiplicity of man-made computing elements; one of the settings of the parameters including an indication of a time when the active element instruction will be implemented.
16. A system comprising one or more machine-readable media that store thereon a first translator for translating a first computer language into a second computer language, and a second translator that converts the second language into active element instructions, which are instructions that are implemented by an active element machine and which indicate settings of parameters of components of the active element machine, which is a man-made machine that includes at least a multiplicity of man-made computing elements, and a multiplicity of man-made couplings communicatively connecting the multiplicity of man-made computing elements to one another, such that the man-made couplings are capable of transmitting messages between the multiplicity of man-made computing elements; one of the settings of the parameters including an indication of a time when the active element instruction will be implemented. 17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the first computer language is C.