The Future of Quantum Software Development: Qiskit 1.2 Release
Quantum Computing is becoming more accessible and practical with each passing day. IBM’s Qiskit software has been at the forefront of this revolution since its release in 2017. With each new release, IBM has focused on enhancing Qiskit in three key areas – functionality, optimization, and performance.
The latest version, Qiskit 1.2, introduces a significant shift in the software’s internal workings by embracing the Rust programming language. Rust, known for its speed and memory efficiency, allows Qiskit to deliver faster performance while using fewer resources. This conversion process, aptly named “oxidation,” is being implemented gradually to ensure a seamless transition for users.
One of the notable improvements in Qiskit 1.2 is the speedup it offers compared to previous versions. IBM has demonstrated a 2.8X increase in speed when constructing a 400-qubit circuit with multiple entangling layers. This enhancement showcases the commitment to delivering a high-performance quantum SDK that can keep pace with the evolving demands of quantum computing.
Aside from speed enhancements, Qiskit 1.2 brings new import path options, improved optimization techniques, and additional circuit library features. These additions enrich the user experience and expand the capabilities of quantum programming.
Looking ahead, IBM plans to continue its momentum with the upcoming release of Qiskit 1.3 later this year. This version will require Python 3.9 and further elevate performance by increasing the default optimization level in the transpiler from level 1 to level 2.
For more details on Qiskit 1.2 and the future roadmap of the software, you can refer to the official release summary here. The release notes for version 1.2 are available here, and a comprehensive list of upcoming milestones for Qiskit can be found here.
August 23, 2024