Why build quantum computers if you can simulate them? | by Jennifer Tran | Jul, 2026 | MediumSitemapOpen in appSign up<br>Sign in

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Why build quantum computers if you can simulate them?

The advantages and limitations of modeling quantum computers

Jennifer Tran

10 min read·<br>6 hours ago

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If you’re not a Medium member, you can read the complete article for free on Substack or on this page.<br>Researchers often run algorithms designed for quantum computers on classical computers that can simulate their behavior before executing them on actual quantum hardware.<br>Using quantum circuit simulators, such as the IBM Quantum Platform Composer, enables prediction and validation of potential results while reducing the computational time and cost often associated with running algorithms on quantum hardware.

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An example of using the IBM Quantum Platform quantum circuit simulator, a classically-based simulator of a quantum circuit, or a software program that can run on a quantum computer.

Then, this raises the question: Why build quantum computers if you can simulate them?<br>High-performance classical computers are valuable for simulating smaller quantum circuits or programs. However, in practical use cases that are too complex and resource-intensive for classical computers to handle, quantum computers remain necessary.<br>This article explores the current thresholds and limitations of quantum computers and quantum circuit simulators and when it…

Written by Jennifer Tran<br>600 followers<br>·68 following

Researching quantum computing and cryptography. https://realmscape.substack.com/

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