Wouldn't that be "real magic"? Re-writing the state of the universe or otherwise influencing how that state progresses? I have read stories where 'magic' causes side effects.

That's basically the premise of Scott Meyer's "Off to be the Wizard" (Magic 2.0) book series. It's a lot of fun, I recommend it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Meyer_(author)#Magic_2.0

> The series follows Martin Banks, a programmer from 2012, who uses a computer file that allows him to alter reality to time travel to medieval England where he joins a community of other computer programmers posing as wizards.

Internet points redeemable for anything with a working exploit.

I'd like to see a VM escape.