A quantum computer is any device for computation that makes direct use of distinctively quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. In a classical (or conventional) computer, information is stored as bits; in a quantum computer, it is stored as qubits (quantum bits). The basic principle of quantum computation is that the quantum properties can be used to represent and structure data, and that quantum mechanisms can be devised and built to perform operations with this data.[1]

Although quantum computing is still in its infancy, experiments have been carried out in which quantum computational operations were executed on a very small number of qubits. Research in both theoretical and practical areas continues at a frantic pace, and many national government and military funding agencies support quantum computing research to develop quantum computers for both civilian and national security purposes, such as cryptanalysis.[2] (See Timeline of quantum computing for details on current and past progress.)

If large-scale quantum computers can be built, they will be able to solve certain problems much faster than any of our current classical computers (for example Shor's algorithm). Quantum computers are different from other computers such as DNA computers and traditional computers based on transistors. Some computing architectures such as optical computers may use classical superposition of electromagnetic waves, but without some specifically quantum mechanical resources such as entanglement, they have less potential for computational speed-up than quantum computers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_computer

Last time i checked, they'd got it to count to 4, yes?

A few years ago, there was a big fuss about a quantum computer finding 3 & 5 as prime factors of 15.

It is strange that I have yet to see a description of the programming or control methods used to get a quantum computer to do its thing.

I wonder if I would understand a description of the methodolgy.

I have read about 1000 qubits simultaneously encoding 21000 different states due to superimposition. I have yet to see a description of how one gets the 1000 qubits to provide the descrioption of the solution to some difficult problem.

If not for some very knowledgeable people making claims for the future of quantum computing, I would dismiss it as crack pottery and not read any articles on the subject.

I believe a recent NewScientist had a supplement regarding quantum computing and it was very interesting and comprehensive to an individual with no background in the subject.

Barry

the quantum computer will also use Fuzzy Logic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzy_logic