If aliens have computers, it’s because computers are the answer to a question that naturally occurs to both human and alien civilizations. By Andy Matuschak and Michael Nielsen.
In 1928, the notion of an algorithm was pretty vague. Up to that point, algorithms were often carried out by human beings using paper and pencil, as in the multiplication algorithm just mentioned, or the long-division algorithm.
The article in great detail describes:
- Part I: The state of a qubit
- Part II: Introducing quantum logic gates
- Part III: Universal quantum computing
- What are quantum computers good for?
- Are quantum computers really universal devices?
Quantum computers need to be at least as capable as classical computers. Over the long term, authors believe the most important use of quantum computers will be simulating other quantum systems. Excellent read!
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