Future Technology 500

Without doubt, the future of computing lies within the field of quantum computing. The promise of being able to utilize quantum mechanics in such a way is clearly an enticing prospect. However, the challenges in the creation of an operational system comes down to forming the foundations and the basics. Having a clear procedure to follow and a set of specific algorithms that work is essential to making quantum computing a reality.

However, thanks to the work of Prasanth Shyamsundar, a post-doctoral research associate at the Department of Energy’s Fermilab Quantum Institute, this has become a reality.

Shyamsundar worked on the development of a pair of algorithms that should build upon work already done in the field of quantum computing. This will help to add even more diversity around the kind of issues we could use quantum computing to solve. The development of algorithms that can factor a number might not sound like a huge leap forward, but it’s essential to progressing towards more complex solutions in future.

Noting that these algorithms are purely meant to be the start as opposed to the end goal, the hope is that these could be used in data collection and analysis. When trying to sift through data that isn’t properly organized, this could help improve the speed in which specific details and information can be sought.

In the example given by Shyamsundar, he suggested the comparison between trying to find a jazz record within a collection of 100 albums. He suggests that in a normal computer query, the number of queries – and the time it takes to parse each query – would be much longer. With quantum computing, though, all of the records can be  analyzed at the same time – this is known as superposition.

This would allow for the number of queries being run to find the answer to a specific data question to be much smaller than they are at present. This would allow for easier storing, sorting, and understanding of information from so many different spheres.

While many still are unsure about just how important quantum computing will be in the future, most can agree it has vast and immense potential. Instead of having to break everything down to the binary value of 1s and 0s, quantum computing allows us to look at information that shares both values at once.

These factors might not sound like a great deal to the average computer user. In the years to come, though, these foundations are going to play a critical role in ensuring success and the growth of quantum computing in the most fundamentally important ways.

Citation

https://news.fnal.gov/2021/04/new-computing-algorithms-expand-the-boundaries-of-a-quantum-future/

For years, discussions and proclamations about the vast potential of quantum computing has been commonplace in the industry. However, many obstacles have limited progress in what is a very ambitious and exciting industry. This looks set to change, though, as major technological advancements are taking place in a short period of time. One breakthrough that has been made in quantum computing, though, has been the first quantum language of its kind that is as easy to work with and utilise as any standard computing language.

Programming quantum computing then is about to become a much easier prospect than it was. A science team at ETH Zurich have come up with a simple (comparatively) programming language that could be used to program quantum computers with the same ease and reliability as a standard computer. The project has been a long-term part of the Secure, Reliable and Intelligent Systems Lab (SRI) at ETH Zurich.

Under the tutelage of Martin Vechev, the project has made progress, with Vechev saying: “Programming quantum computers is still a challenge for researchers, which is why I’m so excited that we can now continue ETH Zurich’s tradition in the development of quantum computers and programming languages.”

Speaking about the latest development further, Vechev added: “Our quantum programming language Silq allows programmers to utilize the potential of quantum computers better than with existing languages, because the code is more compact, faster, more intuitive and easier to understand for programmers.”

The language, known as Silq as noted above, will be showcased to experts at the PLDI 2020 conference for programming languages. They have already made the decision to release Silq as part of its own website, meaning that access is already theoretically possible for those willing to tinker and test.

The mass potential of what quantum computing could do for the whole industry has never been in dispute. What is disputed, though, is just how likely it was to come up with a language that would make progress possible. It was simply seen as being too confusing and intense to come up with a language that would make quantum programming as easy and as effective as classical programming.

Now, that has all changed.

This will allow quantum computing to be used to help solve problems that would be a long-term issue for a classical computer, using the power of quantum computing to turn challenging tasks into a simple issue. The high risk of errors at the moment with quantum computing has meant that finding a language that both computer and coder could understand has been essential, and it looks like the masterminds over at Zurich might have found the solution to a complex roadblock in the path to making quantum computing a reality.

Citation

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200615115820.htm