Coding Shor's Algorithm with Qiskit and Cirq

Quantum computing is reshaping the future of cryptography and computer science, yet implementing its most famous algorithm can often feel out of reach. This text-based course demystifies Shor's algorithm, guiding you from foundational quantum mathematics to writing actual, executable code. You will transition from understanding basic quantum states to programmatically executing prime factorization. By comparing two of the industry's leading quantum software development kits, you will gain a practical, dual-framework perspective on quantum programming. What you'll learn: Understand the mathematical foundations of Shor's algorithm, including period finding and modular arithmetic; Construct quantum circuits using fundamental gates like Hadamard, CNOT, and Phase gates; Implement Shor's algorithm step-by-step in both Qiskit and Cirq using modern syntax; Analyze the Quantum Fourier Transform and its critical role in phase estimation; Evaluate the limitations of current noisy intermediate-scale quantum hardware and modern error mitigation strategies. The course begins with core quantum terminology and foundational linear algebra before moving into circuit construction. You will then read through detailed, side-by-side code implementations, analyzing how each framework structures quantum programs. Designed for software developers and tech enthusiasts new to quantum computing, this course requires only basic Python knowledge and no prior physics background. Start reading today to unlock the power of quantum algorithms.