Microsoft will be multi platform with the Quantum Development Kit, which includes the Q # programming language (Q-sharp) and a simulator for coders exploring how to build applications for quantum computers.
IBM Quantum Computing Efforts
Quantum Development Kit made its debut at the Microsoft Ignite conference in September 2017, followed by a beta release in December. Now, answering the demand for developers who want to reform the quantum programming using a PC running something other than Windows, Microsoft has released the latest version of the kits for Linux and macos, says Jeff Henshaw, manager of the Quantum Software group program at Microsoft. 
. Henshaw describes macOS and Linux support as a top-request feature of developers. It also integrates with Visual Studio Code, a lightweight code editor from Microsoft, which is also available for both operating systems. http://o1.qnsr.com/cgi/r?;n=203;c=1395307;s=14821;x=7936;f=201308291444490;u=j;z=TIMESTAMP;k=http://assetform.eweek.com/controller?asset=230604510&srvid=95910&vkey=26272410&io=226078&BLUID=2018022618212927178715:026272410:001®origin=listing_widget&landingURL=http://o1.qnsr.com/cgi/r?;n=203;c=1395307;s=14821;x=7936;f=201308291444490;u=j;z=TIMESTAMP;k=http://assetform.eweek.com/controller&qset=CONTACTFORM_HQB&formHQB=y&domain=www.eweek.com
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http://www.eweek.com/development/snaplogic-adds-new-ai-capabilities-to-citizen-developer-platform
http://www.eweek.com/development/visual-studio-code-added-to-anaconda-python-distro-for-data-scientists Meanwhile, the Windows version of the kit now supports the Python programming language.
Many developers have existing libraries of code in Python so we wanted to give them easy access to that functionality from Q# without having to port anything," Henshaw stated. "Available as a preview on Windows today, Python interoperability allows Q# code to call Python routines directly, and vice-versa."
Microsoft also open sourced its quantum development libraries, enabling developers to incorporate them into their own applications or add their own contributions. Finally, the kit's quantum simulator now runs considerably faster.
Users can expect a four to five times improvement in performance, particularly in simulations involving 20 qubits or more. Where the familiar bit can represent one or zero, a qubit, or quantum bit, can represent one, zero or both.
Of course, Microsoft isn't alone in helping to set the stage for quantum computers in the mainstream.
During January's Consumer Electronics Show, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich unveiled a 49-qubit quantum processor dubbed "Tangle Lake." Earlier in November 2017, IBM announced that it had created a working 50-quibit chip that will be used in upcoming IBM Q systems, quantum computing environments that are accessible using the company's cloud platform. Some early IBM Q customers include Chase, Honda, JPMorgan, Samsung and the Oak Ridge National Lab.
While the world awaits the innovations that quantum computing can bring to the IT industry, some experts are sounding the alarm on the challenge quantum technology poses to cyber-security.
Noting that one of the key reason computers are in existence is that they were instrumental in helping to create and crack cryptography, Konstantinos Karagiannis, chief technology officer for Security Consulting at BT Americas, has said there's are some good reasons to be wary of the exuberance surrounding quantum computers.
During last September's Open Source Summit in Los Angeles, he said that quantum computing research and development is being largely driven by the race to crack modern cryptography, which can also pose a risk to Bitcoin.
The situation may not be as dire as it seems. Multiple post-quantum cryptography efforts are underway, including open-source projects like Open Quantum Safe and Quantum-Resistant Ledger.
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