Although they are not fully developed yet, quantum computers are slowly forming as the technology behind them matures. Quantum physics applied to the field of computing is currently considered as an innovative solution capable of revolutionizing the world in the not too distant future.
This is one of the main reasons why so many leading technology companies in their respective industries are engaged in a fierce battle to quickly achieve the creation of a powerful and above all functional quantum computer that can meet their development goal.
It is in this same perspective that in September 2017, Microsoft had announced be working on a new programming language, Q # (Q-sharp), dedicated to quantum computers.
In December of the same year, Microsoft had announced the availability of a free beta version of its Quantum development kit, including the Q # programming language and its compiler; a standard Q # library.
The library contains operations and functions that support the control requirement of classical language and Q # quantum algorithms, a local quantum machine emulator, optimized for precise simulation and vector speed, a computer quantum tracking emulator, used to estimate the resources required to run a quantum program.
It also allows faster debugging of non-Q # control code; a Visual Studio extension, containing templates for Q # files and projects, as well as syntax highlighting.
Microsoft continues to release products
At the Build 2019 conference, Microsoft announced that it will release the source code for its Q # compiler and quantum simulators as part of the development kit.
“Our ambition is to make quantum computing more accessible so that developers can help solve some of the world's most pressing problems. The power of realizing this vision lies in the fact that each developer can collaborate, share code, and develop each other's work.
Microsoft Quantum Development Kit enables developers, at all stages of the quantum programming lifecycle, from learning basic quantum concepts to coding their first quantum application, to provide real-world solutions using our open source examples and libraries.
Thereby, higher education institutions will be able to use these tools more easily and of course, developers can contribute their own codes and ideas to the project.
This surelye will make algorithm development easier and more transparent for developers.
In March, Microsoft even announced the launch of the Microsoft Quantum Network, a global community of people and organizations working together to improve quantum computing.
We are pleased to announce that this summer we will be launching the Quantum Development Kit, which includes our Q # compiler and quantum simulators.
By opening the open source Quantum Development Kit on GitHub, we are enabling developers to contribute to the development of quantum computing alongside an emerging community of quantum computing programmers.
We started this work last year when we opened various sources for the Quantum Dev Kit, including libraries and samples.
Each contribution helps an expanding community of developers use Q # to deliver exciting new solutions, addressing some of the most complex problems, ”says Microsoft.
A new era for computing
Microsoft is not the only company interested in the development of quantum computing. Other companies are also moving to make quantum computing and its promises a reality.
Such is the case of IBM, which for its part is making great strides con commercial quantum systems and services, called IBM Q, that have been made available through its cloud platform.
IBM Q is an industry first initiative to build universal quantum computers for business and science. Through this initiative, a multidisciplinary team is developing scalable quantum systems and potential technology applications.
IBM Research also works with a global network of Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, startups, and national research laboratories (called the IBM Q Network) that use IBM technology to advance quantum computing.