Modern Quantum Computing: Languages, Simulators, Architectures and Future Directions

This study examines the current technological components of quantum computing through a multi layered approach. It begins by comparing quantum and classical computers across fundamental aspects such as information representation, computational power, fault tolerance, and computational complexity, with the key differences summarized in a technical comparison table. Subsequently, the study analyzes the primary architectural approaches in quantum hardware, including superconducting qubits, trapped ion systems, and photonic platforms. On the software side, quantum programming languages such as Qiskit, Cirq, and PennyLane are evaluated in terms of their features, supported infrastructures, and learning curves. The significance of variational quantum algorithms tailored for the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era namely, the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) and the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) along with hybrid computing systems, is also emphasized. Overall, this work aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of modern quantum computing from both hardware and software perspectives, highlighting key developments and ongoing progress in the field.