January 13, 2026
Entanglement meets comment wars
Ask HN: Quantum Computation, Computers and Programming
Which book wins? What is a qubit? HN fights over how to learn quantum
TLDR: An Ask HN post sought clear learning paths for quantum computing and real examples. Comments split between physics-first and code-first; a researcher framed digital vs analog, and a practitioner said most work is classical. The thread delivered a practical reading list alongside lively corrections and hype checks.
A wide‑eyed Ask HN post begged for beginner‑to‑advanced paths on quantum computing—what to study, how the machines work, and how to actually program them. The community answered with a reading‑list pile‑on and delicious drama. First swing: conformist drops Quantum Computing Since Democritus, and the old guard nods. Then slwvx cites the classic Nielsen & “Chung” (cue pedants swarming to correct it to Chuang—book wars ensue). The strongest reality check came from nilslice, who worked on a quantum compiler and confessed it was mostly classical computing, but you still need physics basics to make sense of qubits (quantum bits). That set the tone: physics‑first vs code‑first became the main cage match.
Enter ktallett, a self‑declared QC researcher, splitting the room with a simple map: digital (qubits and gates) versus analog (photons, diamonds, electrons), plus a name‑drop of Strawberry Fields for the analog crowd. Meanwhile, jesuslop championed the zero‑prereq “Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists” for folks who want a gentle CS ramp. Jokes landed fast: “diamonds are a qubit’s best friend,” “press X to entangle,” and a chorus asking if anything beats Shor’s algorithm for everyday wins. Verdict: the thread turned into a DIY syllabus with sass—equal parts reading list, reality check, and meme‑powered motivation.
Key Points
- •The post seeks structured resources (books, papers, articles, videos) for quantum computation, quantum computers, and quantum programming.
- •It asks whether classical models of computation apply to quantum computation and what new models exist.
- •It requests explanations of quantum computer physics, organization, and architecture analogous to classical computing layers.
- •It queries how quantum programming fits together and how quantum computations can be simulated on classical hardware.
- •It requests accessible examples demonstrating quantum advantage beyond Shor’s algorithm and invites practitioners to share real-world applicability and learning paths.