What is Quantum Computing?

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If you didn’t already know, any year now, the whole computing space is about to change. This all comes down to the question of when Quantum Computing will replace the way that our computers work now. If you know the Big Bang Theory and you know how much they appreciated Richard Feynman and his work, then you might know that he was a pioneer in the field of Quantum Physics. Quantum Physics directly relates to Quantum Computing as to its rules. Through a brief overview of the theory behind Quantum Computing, we hope that the improvements that it will bring become crystal clear.

Bits vs. Qubits

The way that our current computers process data is based on bits.

Bits are also known as binary numbers. Essentially, the foundation of what our computers do is coded with these numbers, which were actually perfected by Gottfried Leibniz in 1679. Yes, you heard that right. All in all, the basis for computers was around that long ago, far before almost any modern thing that we have today.

At the same time, of course, Leibniz didn’t have any notion of computers and reportedly felt that there was little use for his system for the greater part of his life. It wasn’t until George Boole published his paper titled, “The Mathematical Analysis of Logic,” that the ideas around binary numbers really began to take hold.

Boole created a new system of algebra based on Leibniz’s numbers, which was then finally analyzed at length by Claude Shannon in 1937. Essentially, Shannon found a similarity between Boolean algebra and how electric circuits work and that took us on the road to using the same similarity to build the first computer.

Shannon’s conception of Binary Code is still used today.

The Quantum Age

Quantum computers already exist but in small quantities.

While the computers that we know and love are based on binary code, Quantum computers are based on what can be called Quantum bits or qubits. In addition to this, companies like IBM make sure to add phrases like “these computers harness powerful forces of nature,” to illustrate that Quantum Computers are supposed to process information in a better and faster way.

Wait, how can it be in two places at once?

When one searches through these websites that claim to know all there is to know about Quantum Computers, it isn’t easy to find out how they work with “the laws of nature.” The answer actually appears to partially lie in the concept of Superposition. Superposition is just the idea that any subatomic particle has the ability to exist in more than one place at a time.

While traditional computing involves particles or pieces of data that only exist in one state at a time, it seems that Quantum Computing doubles this possibility and therefore also doubles the existence of this data. Keeping this in mind, the exact concept of Superposition is difficult to grasp and highly theoretical. How can anything be in two places at once? If that was the case then are multiple universes real, like we see in shows like “Rick and Morty?”

First of all, superposition is quite theoretical and is hard to grasp. It might help to consider it only in part, or in terms of qubits. Apparently, it all boils down to using a math equation called the Born rule in connection with other equations to mathematically prove this concept. Again, this can all get very involved.

Essentially, superposition applies to many parts of our world but when it is applied to computers, we can think of it in terms of a “Quantum logical qubit state.” This essentially proves that in machines like computers, data can exist in zeroes and ones, simultaneously.

So what does it all mean?

In short, binary theory will likely have become obsolete when Quantum Computing takes hold. This also means, in the way that their data will exist, our computers just might be two times faster or more.

It also means that unless the world is ready, we will face a lot of difficulties. The most sensitive area is and will be that related to our security measures, globally. If we don’t structure all of our existing security measures to prepare for the advent of Quantum Computing, then we just might end up being the most vulnerable that we’ve ever been. Hacks that have happened up until now might become largely insignificant. Whoever’s ready first might just hold the keys to the next age of technology.