Python is one of the most popular programming languages. However, did you know you can use Python to program a quantum computer? Many use Python and an appropriate toolset to program a quantum computer from quantum companies like IBM and Google.
The Python Programming Language
Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its clear syntax and readability. Developed in the late 1980s by Guido van Rossum, Python has become one of the world’s most popular and widely used programming languages. It is designed to be easy to understand and write, making it an excellent choice for beginners while still powerful enough for advanced users. Python’s philosophy emphasizes code readability, and its syntax allows developers to express concepts in fewer lines of code than possible in other languages.
The versatility of Python is evident in its wide range of applications. It is used in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, scientific computing, and more. The language has a rich ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, such as Django for web development, NumPy and Pandas for data manipulation, and TensorFlow and PyTorch for machine learning. Furthermore, Python’s active and supportive community continuously contributes to its growth, ensuring that the language remains up-to-date and relevant in the ever-evolving world of technology.
Popular ProgrammingLanguages
According to the Programming Language ranking at tiobe, Python is currently the Number 1 programming language, closely followed by C and C++. That means massive user support for the language.
| Sep 2023 | Sep 2022 | Change | Programming Language | Ratings | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |  | Python | 14.16% | -1.58% | |
| 2 | 2 |  | C | 11.27% | -2.70% | |
| 3 | 4 |  |  | C++ | 10.65% | +0.90% |
| 4 | 3 |  |  | Java | 9.49% | -2.23% |
| 5 | 5 |  | C# | 7.31% | +2.42% | |
| 6 | 7 | |  | JavaScript | 3.30% | +0.48% |
| 7 | 6 | |  | Visual Basic | 2.22% | -2.18% |
| 8 | 10 | |  | PHP | 1.55% | -0.13% |
| 9 | 8 | |  | Assembly language | 1.53% | -0.96% |
| 10 | 9 | |  | SQL | 1.44% | -0.57% |
| 11 | 15 |  |  | Fortran | 1.28% | +0.26% |
| 12 | 12 |  | Go | 1.19% | +0.03% | |
| 13 | 14 | |  | MATLAB | 1.19% | +0.13% |
| 14 | 22 | |  | Scratch | 1.08% | +0.51% |
| 15 | 13 | |  | Delphi/Object Pascal | 1.02% | -0.07% |
| 16 | 16 |  | Swift | 1.00% | +0.02% | |
| 17 | 26 | |  | Rust | 0.97% | +0.47% |
| 18 | 18 |  | R | 0.97% | +0.02% | |
| 19 | 20 | |  | Ruby | 0.95% | +0.30% |
| 20 | 34 | |  | Kotlin | 0.90% | +0.59% |
Using Python to Program a Quantum Computer
Python has become one of the intelligent ways to interact with quantum computers because you can use it to interface with various quantum libraries and frameworks. Why create a new language if you don’t need to? That thinking is behind the popularity of frameworks such as qiskit, but it’s not the only one. The advantage of using Python for programming a quantum computer is that you can leverage your existing knowledge without learning a new syntax. Of course, you’ll need to understand the framework, but the programming will follow the same familiar logic and syntax of Python.
Qiskit (IBM)
Qiskit, developed by IBM, is an open-source quantum computing framework that allows users to work with quantum computers at the level of circuits, algorithms, and application modules. It provides tools for creating and manipulating quantum programs and running them on prototype quantum devices and simulators. Qiskit also offers a comprehensive set of quantum libraries, ranging from foundational building blocks to more advanced quantum algorithms.
Qiskit offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including Qiskit Terra for quantum circuit design and optimization, Qiskit Aer for quantum simulation, Qiskit Ignis for quantum error correction, and Qiskit Aqua for quantum algorithms. The framework integrates seamlessly with IBM’s cloud-based quantum computing services, enabling researchers and developers to run their quantum circuits on real quantum hardware. Additionally, Qiskit provides extensive documentation and tutorials, making it easier for developers to dive deep into quantum programming.
Cirq (Google)
Cirq is an open-source quantum computing framework developed by Google. It is designed to make it easier for researchers and developers to create, edit, and invoke Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) circuits. Cirq provides a Python-based interface, allowing users to define and run quantum circuits on both simulators and real quantum processors.
Cirq provides rich features, including native gate sets, scheduling, and visualization tools. One of its standout features is the ability to define and use custom quantum gates in circuits. Cirq also integrates with Google’s quantum computing services, allowing users to run their quantum algorithms on actual quantum processors. The framework’s architecture is designed to evolve with the advancements in quantum computing, ensuring that it remains relevant and valuable for cutting-edge quantum research.
Ocean (D-Wave)
Ocean is D-Wave’s software suite for quantum computing. It provides tools and libraries tailored for quantum annealing, a specific type of quantum computing. Ocean allows developers to build and run applications on D-Wave quantum annealers, offering a Python interface to facilitate the programming of these quantum machines.
Ocean offers several Python tools, such as D-Wave’s problem-solving Python library, D-Wave’s binary quadratic model (BQM) library, and D-Wave’s quantum machine instruction (QMI) compiler. These tools allow developers to formulate problems for D-Wave’s quantum annealers, compile QMIs to run on the quantum hardware, and process the results. The Ocean software also integrates with D-Wave’s cloud services, enabling users to access the quantum annealer hardware remotely.
Frameworks and Languages
To see the popularity of quantum languages and frameworks, please see our earlier article, where we delve into the details and examine each quantum framework and language.
