Johnny Hooyberghs - Introducing Microsoft Quantum Computing for Developers: Using the Quantum Development Kit and Q#

Johnny Hooyberghs

Johnny Hooyberghs

ISBN 978-1-4842-7245-9 e-ISBN 978-1-4842-7246-6

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-7246-6

Johnny Hooyberghs 2022

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Introduction

I have always been interested in new and shiny things, more specifically, things that I do not understand and want to understand. When I heard about the existence of quantum computing, I wanted to learn how something deterministic like a computer could work in the world of quantum magic. Hmmm, this makes me think of that famous quote from one of my favorite science-fiction authors, Arthur C. Clarke:

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

I was first introduced to quantum computing many years ago by Bart De Smet. He was doing a presentation on Microsoft Q# at Techorama Belgium, and I was sold immediately. I wanted to learn more about it, bought several books, and started playing around with it. How cool it is to be able to live through a period where something completely new is being worked on!

After a few years, I started telling other people about the wonders of quantum and quantum computing. In 2019, I started doing public presentations for international software developer conferences, and in 2020, I decided to start to write this introductory book.

This book is an introduction in quantum computing, specifically targeting software developers who are familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem. My goal is not to convert you to the best quantum theorists out there. My goal is to provide an easy-to-understand introductory book that opens the path to further learning without throwing too much math and abstract science at your head.

This book has the right amount of theory, combined with some getting-your-hands-dirty content and exercises. You will learn by reading, exploring, and experimenting. Dont stop with the examples and exercises in this book. Make changes and try new things. Learning to write software is easy! You cant hurt anyone if you make a mistake, yet

This book is divided into 5 parts with a total of 12 chapters and 3 appendixes. The following list will give you a quick preview of each chapter:

Part 1. The first part of this book talks mostly about the theoretical side of quantum computing. There are no programming skills required just yet.

Chapter. What, Why, and How? This chapter describes the basics of quantum physics, how this relates to quantum computers, and why we need quantum computers.

Chapter. The Qubit and Quantum State. This chapter describes the most important part of a quantum computer: the qubit and its quantum state.

Chapter. Quantum Gates and Circuits. This chapter describes how to manipulate the quantum state by applying gates and combining multiple gates into quantum circuits.

Part 2. The second part of this book talks about the Microsoft Quantum Development Kit and the Q# programming language.

Chapter. Develop with the Microsoft Quantum Development Kit. This chapter describes what the Microsoft Quantum Development Kit is, how to install it on your PC, and how to use it.

Chapter. Your First Quantum Program. This chapter guides you toward building your first quantum program using Q#: a quantum random number generator.

Chapter. Q# Language Overview and the Quantum Simulator. This chapter describes many of the Q# language features in much detail. How should you write code, what statements and expressions can you use and build, and how should you use quantum operations?

Chapter. Testing and Debugging Your Quantum Programs. This chapter describes how to test and debug your quantum programs using Q# and Visual Studio Code or Microsoft Visual Studio. Testing and debugging in the quantum simulator can help you explore and learn more quickly.

Part 3. The third part of this book talks about some existing quantum algorithms and implements them using Q#. These algorithms are still easy enough to understand for every beginner. This makes sure that this book is perfect for people without any advanced physics or mathematics background.

Chapter. Deutschs Algorithm. This chapter describes and implements the famous algorithm from David Deutsch. The comparison is made between the classical version and the quantum version and shows you how the quantum version provides the most optimal solution.

Chapter. Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm. This chapter describes and implements an improved algorithm by David Deutsch and Richard Jozsa. Again, a comparison is made between the classical version and the quantum version to help you ease into the thought process.

Chapter. The CHSH Game. This chapter describes the CHSH game: A hypothetical game that can be played, or rather won, with greater success in the world of quantum thanks to entanglement. You will build a classical version and a quantum version of this game and see the improved winning chances for the quantum version.

Part 4. The fourth part of this book concludes the introduction of quantum computing with a sneak preview of the world of quantum cloud thanks to Microsoft Azure Quantum.