In quantum computing, units of data are called qubits and each of these can exist simultaneously as both 1 and 0. These two principles allow quantum computers to solve more complex problems in quicker time than classical computing. Industrial quantum computers do not exist yet so Microsoft has released cloud-based simulators that allow developers to test software developed in Q#, its programming language for quantum computing. Researchers expect quantum computing to be particularly useful in the medical field, for example, to analyse microbes so they can create new vaccines. Quantum computing can also be useful for DNA sequencing and the search for new types of drugs.

Source: New Strait Times January 21, 2018 06:11 UTC