Quantum Computing for Dummies

By: whurley, Floyd Smith

Narrated by: Joel Richards

Quantum computing has the promise to be the next huge thing in technology. How do we know that? Look at how much the big players in tech are investing in the technology. Quantum Computing For Dummies preps you for the amazing changes that are coming with the world of computing built on the phenomena of quantum mechanics. Need to know what is it and how does it work? This easy-to-understand book breaks it down and answers your most pressing questions. Get a better understanding of how quantum computing is revolutionizing networking, data management, cryptography, and artificial intelligence in ways that would have previously been unthinkable. With this Dummies guide, you'll get a primer on the inner workings and practical applications of quantum computers.

You will: learn the difference binary and quantum computers; discover which industries will be most influenced by quantum computing; see how quantum improves encryption and enables business; and take a look at how quantum is applied in big data and AI.

For technologists and IT pros interested in getting on board the quantum train—plus anyone who's quantum-curious—this Dummies guide is a must-listen.

©2024 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (P)2023 Tantor

Best introductory book on QC

In my experience, best beginner book out there on QC (Dec 2023). The authors did a great job delivering as much as possible of the essence of the state of the technology in an approachable and balanced manner keeping hype under tight control and curating tons of the best learning resources out there as a map of steady footing for their now- initiated readers (sincerely Bravo!).

Areas of improvement:
The unabashed frequency of plugs for one of the coauthors business (a great and much needed offering in its own right; but I felt the message could have been delivered more subtly).
In the leading handful of chapters there’s a good deal of overlap and repetition, that being said that’s not necessarily bad for a beginner’s book as this in itself is a proven teaching technique.
Finally I think the narrator did an amazing job delivering a semi technical book! I just wish he skipped some of the lengthy URLs.

PS: I have a subscription to O’Reily media, so I was able to reference an electronic version of the book in few spots where I needed it (a nice to have option)

Excellent information with only one major error.

After hearing the author claim that atoms have the same number of protons as neutrons and that the hydrogen atom has 1 proton and 1 neutron, I was very dubious about the usefulness of this book. (The most common isotope of hydrogen has 1 proton and no neutrons, uranium 238 has 92 protons and 146 neutrons, most atoms do not have the same number of protons and neutrons.) But after this error, the book was excellent! It was full of good information and the presentation was excellent. I am on the second listening and I have purchased the book (as a paperback) to have a written copy of the information. The only thing I would add is a pdf file to augment the information.