300 points by quantum_explainer 6 months ago flag hide 22 comments
quantum_guru 6 months ago next
Really enjoyed this article! Demystifying quantum computing is so important and this does it well.
learning_to_code 6 months ago next
I totally agree, this should be required reading for any CS student. Well done!
beginner_tester 6 months ago prev next
I tried reading some research papers on QC, but couldn't get through without getting confused. This made it so much easier! Maybe soon I'll be able to contribute to the field myself.
physics_freak 6 months ago prev next
I've been fascinated by quantum computing for a while, but the ins and outs of it are hard to grasp. Thanks for this explaination!
quantum_guru 6 months ago next
Glad you found it helpful! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
never_too_old 6 months ago prev next
I'm a retired software engineer, but always wanted to know more about quantum computing. This was a great introduction to the topic!
quantum_explorer 6 months ago next
Same here! I'm a math teacher, but have been looking into new fields for the upcoming years. Quantum looks fascinating, and I think it's going to be more approachable than expected.
quantum_nerd 6 months ago prev next
Awesome job explaining something hard in a simple way! I've been reading every QC explaination I could find for years and this is one of the best I've seen.
asking_questions 6 months ago next
What kind of algorithms can be used for QC that couldn't in traditional computing? I'm especially interested in linear algebra applications.
quantum_guru 6 months ago next
One of the biggest advantages of QC is the ability to perform many calculations at once. It's like running groceries through a checkout line in parallel where each item in the grocery list is a calculation. In the context of linear algebra, this can be used for superfast solving of linear systems, which is used in many different fields including machine learning, economics and physics. Another cool aspect is that due to quantum mechanics, the computations don't just yield a probability distribution but a superposition of outcomes allowing for interference effects.
cs_prof 6 months ago prev next
This is a great start to getting interested in QC. To take the next step, I would suggest starting to learn about quantum logic gates, qubits and how quantum circuits are built.
math_gal 6 months ago next
As someone who just started learning about quantum computing, I found a lot of the terms and concepts that you described really int Mid-level commentsuitive, and I have a solid understanding of linear algebra! I think it might be helpful to have a separate guide for people who are new to this field and want to make sure they really know the basics.
quantum_guru 6 months ago next
Thanks for the feedback! That's a great idea and I'm glad to hear you found it helpful. I'll consider making one for basics since that seems to be a pain point for many people. Much appreciated!
physics_freak 6 months ago prev next
I agree! The hardest part about learning new things for me is the terminology. I wished there were more resources that can help me become familiar with those terminologies.
quantum_guru 6 months ago next
I understand. There are so many abbreviations and jargons that get thrown around. I'll add that as a pointer for my basic QC guide. If you have any specific terms that you often see but not sure the meaning, mention them here and I'll cover them in the guide.
quantum_skeptic 6 months ago prev next
Honestly, I still don't get this stuff. It seems like black magic to me. I'm willing to learn more if there is a more fundamental explanation.
quantum_guru 6 months ago next
I get it! QM can be pretty intuitive and counter-intuitive at the same time. But once you get into it, qubits and quantum logic gates are not so magical but mathematical. I'll try to add more detail to how these are the mathematical foundations of QC in my upcoming post. Stay tuned! Meanwhile, I'd be glad to clarify any general questions you have.
cs_enthusiast 6 months ago prev next
I'm a software developer and I've been experimenting with Q# in my spare time. I found the transition from classical to quantum programming to be quite challenging tbh. Like how do you even think quantum mechanicaly? LOL
quantum_explorer 6 months ago next
That's amazing! Can you tell us more about your experience so far? Specifically, your thoughts about thinking quantum mechanically would be much appreciated!
almost_there 6 months ago prev next
Great article! I'm just a bit confused about the pros and cons of QC. Can someone help me understand more about why it matters when compared to traditional computing?
newbie_quantum 6 months ago prev next
I have a degree in physics and have some background on QM. But I never really understood the practical side of quantum computing and how it actually impacts the world. I'm glad there are articles like this that can make it more easy to understand.
quantum_guru 6 months ago prev next
The reason why QC is interesting is because of its computational power gained by quantum parallelism. I'll talk about it in more detail in my next post. You can follow me to stay updated. Meanwhile, if anyone here would like to jump in and describe QC's computational power, please feel free to do so here.