Microsoft releases quantum computing development kit preview
Microsoft announced that it was going to be in the future of quantum computing at the Microsft Ignite Conference in September. Today, Microsoft took a step towards that goal by releasing a preview of its quantum computing development kit. This kit includes all the pieces a developer needs to get started including Q# language and compiler, a Q# library, a local quantum computing simulator, a quantum trace simulator and a Visual Studio extension.
Since it is a preview, it is aimed at early adopters who want to understand what it takes to develop programs for quantum computers which operate very different from the traditional ones. With a traditional computer, a bit can only be a 1 or a 0 ( on or off ), whereas in quantum computers, a qubit ( quantum bit ) can be in multiple states at the same time. Microsoft's Krysta Svore stated in September that the idea was to offer a comprehensive full stack solution for controlling the quantum computer and writing applications for it. Microsoft isn't alone in being a player in quantum computing, IBM has had quantum computing servies available for programmers for a year now and has released a 20 qubit quantum computer. IBM also announced a 50 qubit prototype. Google and Intel are also working on quantum computing research as well as a host of other companies and startups. It is still the early days of quantum computing and we have a while to go but hte potential is so great that alot of companies including Microsoft want to get in as early as possible.