Programming Quantum Computers: Essential Algorithms and Code Samples

Computer science, in some sense, can be divided into "what?" and "how?" with the what part being the nature of transistors and other hardware elements, and the "how" part being the basic programming The latter part takes for granted the hardware and simply considers how to manipulate the bits using logic gates in order to build up to useful programming operations.After worrying myself for the past few years over "what is a quantum bit" using various partially adequate books, I got my hands on the present book. What a relief! Finally here is a book that does not make readers worry about "what is a qubit?" but simply presumes the qubit structure and then dives right into the programming. VERY illuminating, and gives one a feeing of having "arrived."Terrific to see how additions with quantum bits work. Terrific to see the various quantum gates at work on one qubit and on multiqubit systems. Terrific to see some elementary Fourier transforms and also phase operations and a simple approach to the Grover sorting algorithm.This book deserves to sell well and it has a lot to teach those who want to understand what goes on with quantum computing.What is the level of presentation?Most of the code samples are pretty simple to follow, as are the quantum bit operations. Once in awhile there's a code segment that one might have to "stare at" a bit to understand what is happening. But I never found that any code sample was impossible to comprehend. Also, it is a bit tricky in the text in places - multiple qubits might demand more of this "staring" but again the answers make themselves clear with time.Basic familiarity with computer coding, and a "puzzle solving mind" are the only prerequesites.Once again, I must repeat. this book is a "long awaited boon" for anyone thinking "okay will someone please write a book that gives me an idea of what the heck quantum computers are doing?"My highest recommendation.

I just finished reading Programming Quantum Computers. It’s wonderful.I started with zero knowledge about quantum computers, and now I have a reasonable understanding of how things work. Though I've realized that should have tinkered with things more, so I’ll read it again and play around with both the simulator and the real quantum computers more (yes, I was surprised to learn this, but you can actually try your code on a real QC!).The quantum computers world is very magical and counter intuitive, but this book really makes it welcoming and understandable - just forget that the NOT gate inverts bits, it both inverts and doesn’t invert them at the same time. The kitten or the tiger puzzle is awesome, that was my aha moment!My only wish is that it would include a little bit more math, but I guess that goes against the intention of the authors, which would be ‘play around and get an intuitive feeling towards everything’, I guess. It gives you just enough math and physics when you need it, and after that, it's very hands on.I cannot claim that I understood absolutely everything (e.g. I can deal deal with Fourier transforms and eigenvectors, but the complex eigenphase got me!), but I’ll return to this book it and read it again.I can only imagine how much work went into writing this book and getting the quantum computer simulator to work; I'd like the authors to know that their efforts are very much appreciated.On the nerdy geeky scale of 1 to 10, this goes to 11. This is great, and last but not least, it is a lot of fun! I've personally recommended this book to many of my friends and they're reading it now, so if you're a curious programmer, I'd like to recommend it to you as well - you should definitely give it a try.

I've been trying to keep up-to-date on Quantum computing for both work and academic interest. Most of the "hardcore" books out there are pretty solid. Basically, for the academic texts, everything is still so new that they just repeat the same material in slightly different ways.That's what is cool and interesting with this book. It is different. The book is geared towards active programmers and people with a general computer science background who want to start jumping into Quantum Computing right away. Although the book may present itself as a beginner's book or a "no frills" book on Quantum programming with no quantum physics and mathematics required, if you are new to programming or computer science in general, it will be challenging. You have to jump from binary, hex, and normal decimal values simultaneously within a simple example. You need to know your gates and basic Boolean algebra. If you are not fluid in this through training or experience you may find what seems simple to be slow going.The work on setting up the companion site and introducing Quantum programming directly is definitely worth 5 stars. I am still reading through the book but I am coming across typos that are annoying (Fig 3-16, Fig 3-14, and a few others) which knocked off a star. If you are new to Quantum computing, your previous experience does not follow and so it is necessary to be precise since most of what you are learning is through definition and leap of faith. Also, the explanations many times do not make sense from a forward reading of the material; only after you understand and then read back the explanation do you say, "Ah, that is true." This usually means that the author had hidden assumptions or was working from a different understanding than what was being presented in the book. The authors are very smart and accomplished people in the field so it is understandable. Nonetheless, when you "get it" it is thrilling and you have an awesome companion site to practice with! Definitely recommend this book.