Unraveling the Basics of the Quantum Computing
Tags: computerscience, quantumcomputing, quantum, beginners
Published: 2023-11-20 11:10:33



Classical computers have been instrumental for achieving technological advancement for the past few years. From computing simple calculations to using computers for daily aspects of life, we have come a long way. But classical computers still face limitations while handling large datasets and complex problems. Here comes Quantum computers to save the day!

**Why Quantum Computers?**
Suppose you're a delivery man tasked with visiting 64 divisions across Bangladesh. With 64 divisions to visit, what is the shortest possible path you can take to visit all of these divisions? It would take  almost 20 million years for a classical computer to solve the problem. Such problems need deep searching or testing of possibilities that refer to the limitations of classical computing especially when faced with massive datasets.This is where quantum computing comes in.


**Quantum Mechanics, The Foundation of Quantum Computing**

To understand quantum computing, we must understand the concept of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics basically refers to how really small objects like atoms, electron behave.
 
There are Four key properties of quantum mechanics.

**Superposition**: The ability of a quantum particle to exist in multiple states at the same time. For example, in the classical world if you spin a coin, you get either head or tail. But in the quantum world, it can be head and tail at the same time.

**Interference**: When quantum particles interact, their wave-like particles can interfere with each other, either adding up or cancelling out, leading to unexpected outcomes. Suppose Samir and Sabrina shoot a ball at the hoop. In the quantum world, it can add up or cancel out.

**Entanglement**: The ability for states of multiple objects to be influenced by each other in seemingly impossible ways. For example, Suppose you are spinning a quantum ball that causes another ball to spin the opposite direction no matter how far they are.

**Measurement**: Unlike classical objects, observing the particle forces it to collapse into a finite state, destroying the superposition principle. A quantum particle however when measured can give random results and change the state of the object.  Measurement converts quantum states into classical states. For example, observing your quantum basketball in the air will make it follow one specific path, even if it's in superposition.

Quantum computers use the properties of quantum mechanics to perform computations in a fundamentally different way than classical computers. While classical computers use 0 and 1 as bits to store information, quantum computers use qubits which exist in a superposition of 0 and 1 at the same time. The ability that allows quantum computers to explore various possibilities at the same time, increases the computational power of quantum computing significantly. This makes quantum computers better problem solvers for large datasets.


Though Quantum computing is still in early stages, it has the power to revolutionise various fields. Conducting more research and as the technology matures, we can undoubtedly expect quantum computing to play an important role shaping our future.