Changes

==Details==

==Details==

Quantum computers use priniples of [[quantum mechanics]], and utilize states of matter (other than the typical solids, liquids, and gasses) which can only exist at temperatures very near [[absolute zero]]. These additional matter states enable the computer to have values be both 1 and 0 simultaneously.<ref name="howstuffworks.com 1">http://computer.howstuffworks.com/quantum-computer.htm</ref> This differs from the traditional [[Alan Turing|Turing]] computer because while normal computers can only have one or zero at a given point, Quantum Computers can have anything from 0-1 at the same time. The values can be 0 or 1 or a superposition of 0 and 1; in other words the symbols are both 0 and 1 (and all points in between) at the same time. While a normal binary machine can only perform one calculation at a time, a quantum computer can perform many calculations at once.<ref name="howstuffworks.com 1">http://computer.howstuffworks.com/quantum-computer.htm</ref>

Quantum computers use priniples of [[quantum mechanics]], and utilize states of matter (other than the typical solids, liquids, and gasses) which can only exist at temperatures very near [[absolute zero]]. These additional matter states enable the computer to have values be both 1 and 0 simultaneously.<ref name="howstuffworks.com 1">http://computer.howstuffworks.com/quantum-computer.htm</ref> This differs from the traditional binary computer because while normal computers can only have one or zero at a given point, Quantum Computers can have anything from 0-1 at the same time. The values can be 0 or 1 or a superposition of 0 and 1; in other words the symbols are both 0 and 1 (and all points in between) at the same time. While a normal binary machine can only perform one calculation at a time, a quantum computer can perform many calculations at once.<ref name="howstuffworks.com 1">http://computer.howstuffworks.com/quantum-computer.htm</ref>

==Uses==

==Uses==

There are many potential uses for quantum computers.  In laymen's terms, they are smarter and faster than the typical computer of today.  Binary computers of today are stretching the physical materials they employ to the maximum--it seems that there is only so much which can be done with the [[silicon]], [[copper]], etc. used today. Ternary computers use new materials, which give them a significant advantage.  Processing tasks which could take a binatry computer can in some cases be completed by a quantum computer in under a minute.<br />

There are many potential uses for quantum computers.  In laymen's terms, they are smarter and faster than the typical computer of today.  Binary computers of today are stretching the limits of the physical materials they employ to the maximum--it seems that there is only so much which can be done with the [[silicon]], [[copper]], etc. used in these machines. Ternary computers use new materials, which give them a significant advantage.  Processing tasks which could take a binary computer hundreds of years can in some cases be completed by a quantum computer in under a minute.<br />

[[Artificial intelligence]] and machine learning are methods of making computers function in a more intelligent way. With much faster processing, these endeavors could be taken much further than is currently possible.<br />

[[Artificial intelligence]] and machine learning are methods of making computers function in a more intelligent way. With much faster and "smarter" processing, these endeavors could be taken much further than is currently possible.<br />

However, one disadvantage of quantum computing is that today's digital security relies on the fact that some things would simply take too long and cost too much to compute.  This is the case with cryptography, which essentially uses an enormously complex puzzle to key data secure. It could take an entire datacenter centuries to break some of the encryption algorithms of today, is a sufficiently complex key was used.  However, quantum computing can solve puzzles such as there very quickly, thus enabling the rapid breaking of encryption. This is probably why agencies such as the NSA have been interested in acquiring one.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/nsa-seeks-to-build-quantum-computer-that-could-crack-most-types-of-encryption/2014/01/02/8fff297e-7195-11e3-8def-a33011492df2_story.html?utm_term=.1af130f4b156</ref><br />

However, one disadvantage of quantum computing is that today's digital security relies on the fact that some things would simply take too long and cost too much to compute.  This is the case with [[cryptography]], which essentially uses an incredibly complex puzzle to key data secure. It could take an entire datacenter centuries to break some of the encryption algorithms of today, if a sufficiently complex key was used.  However, quantum computing can solve puzzles such as these very quickly, thus enabling the rapid breaking of encryption. This is probably why agencies such as the NSA have been interested in acquiring one.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/nsa-seeks-to-build-quantum-computer-that-could-crack-most-types-of-encryption/2014/01/02/8fff297e-7195-11e3-8def-a33011492df2_story.html?utm_term=.1af130f4b156</ref><br />

Fortunately, there are ways to encrypt data against quantum computers as well, such as mesh encryption. However, these "quantum-proof" encryption algorithms are not in common use today.

Fortunately, there are ways to encrypt data against quantum computers as well, such as mesh encryption. However, these "quantum-proof" encryption algorithms are not in common use today.