Quantum Programming Made Easy

TL;DR

IQu is a quantum programming language that extends classical Algol-like languages with quantum features, making quantum programming more accessible by integrating quantum co-processor access and circuit manipulation.

Contribution

It introduces IQu, a language combining imperative and high-order features with quantum capabilities, facilitating a smoother transition to quantum programming.

Findings

Effective in expressing well-known quantum algorithms

Supports access to quantum co-processors via quantum stores

Includes features for direct quantum circuit manipulation

Abstract

We present IQu, namely a quantum programming language that extends Reynold's Idealized Algol, the paradigmatic core of Algol-like languages. IQu combines imperative programming with high-order features, mediated by a simple type theory. IQu mildly merges its quantum features with the classical programming style that we can experiment through Idealized Algol, the aim being to ease a transition towards the quantum programming world. The proposed extension is done along two main directions. First, IQu makes the access to quantum co-processors by means of quantum stores. Second, IQu includes some support for the direct manipulation of quantum circuits, in accordance with recent trends in the development of quantum programming languages. Finally, we show that IQu is quite effective in expressing well-known quantum algorithms.