A Quantum Linear Equation Solver

joe writes "Aram Harrow and colleagues have just published on the arXiv a quantum algorithm for solving systems of linear equations (paper, PDF). Until now, the only quantum algorithms of practical consequence have been Shor's algorithm for prime factoring, and Feynman-inspired quantum simulation algorithms. All other algorithms either solve problems with no known practical applications, or produce only a polynomial speedup versus classical algorithms. Harrow et. al.'s algorithm provides an exponential speedup over the best-known classical algorithms. Since solving linear equations is such a common task in computational science and engineering, this algorithm makes many more important problems that currently use thousands of hours of CPU time on supercomputers amenable to significant quantum speedup. Now we just need a large-scale quantum computer. Hurry up, guys!"

Hm

[Andr T.]

Is this algorithm in Haskell or somethin'?

I'll wait until I can program in VB. Will it take long?

Re:Hm

[FrozenFOXX]

Is this algorithm in Haskell or somethin'?

I'll wait until I can program in VB. Will it take long?

It may or may not.

Re:Hm

[Anonymous Coward]

Following the protocol of quantum physicists to be un-understandable by anyone but the top people in their field and 13-year-olds with too much time who watch NOVA and read Popular Science, they wrote it in Perl

Re:Hm

[AdmiralXyz]

Quantum computing is nondeterministic and probability-based: when you put in a certain input, you have a finite probability of getting the right answer out, it could just as easily be anything else. So in other words, coming from VB, you'll be at a major advantage.

Re:Hm

[Anonymous Coward]

Also, it may AND may not.

Re:Implications

[Anonymous Coward]

Does this mean they can solve P=NP?

Yes: N=1.

Re:arXiv articles - question

[fph il quozientatore]

Are arXiv articles peer-reviewed?

No, they aren't [arxiv.org].

Re:Seems bogus

[Bitch-Face Jones]

In O(log n) time he can't read the entire article.

Re:not able to be used == not useful

[Steneub]

That depends. What is its tensile strength?

Re:Implications

[lenester]

Oh come on, this deserves +P Funny.

Re:Thoughts?

[Anonymous Coward]

Is it white? No. Is it black? No.

Actually, it's the next president.