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[Vicomt]

This is the spoken advantage of quantum a.k.a running something that should normally be only able to be run linearly in multiples. Quantum computers use quantum particles ( atoms basically) to store data instead of transistors which can only store a 1 or 0, (or) On or off. Quantum particles however, due to super position can store data on many more states created using different superpositions and entanglements a.k.a Magic. Also, because of how entangled particles work, it is also possible to transmit data without needing to actually connect them. What this means overall is if one could make a quantum/digital computer combination that gives programs that required sequential execution to the digital, while sections of the program which can be done in parallel will go to the quantem computer which can calculate all of them at the same time. Thus While the majority of Dwarf Fortress can be run digitally, things such as pathing could be handled by a quantum computer. But this would mean a lot more hardware-wise, slight adjustments to the program (making it so the pathing is not linear but can be done simultaneously with it's self etc.).

This would take advantage of the digital's computers ability to process consistently but also the quatum computer to process simultaneous, without having to deal with a digital computer's lack of multi processing for a single program that isn't prepared to run multithreaded and without dealing with a quantum computer's lack of quick single processing (Basically, Digital is a kine of bicyclists drafting each other riding on a path, while quantum is a line of bicyclists side by side riding on a path). A combination of these two computers would probably be slower anyways due to converting n stuff, so You're better off just getting a really fast digital. But imagine the program acting like a bunch of bicyclist on a  pre-defined path, while riding on a small linear path, it's best to draft each other, however when they approach say a wider area, maybe it's easier to go more across so each person benefits from working along side each other. Now make that path infinitely long and say at certain ratios the path becomes infinitely wide, and there is an advantage of riding with each other side by side on the infinitely wide paths. The only problem would be widening out.

Quantum computers are currently only working as far as I know in a multi-qubit ( < 8 qubit) state..... and you're asking for one that will run DF?..... I salute you sir. I wish I knew how to write software for a Q Computer.

[edit - removed smiley]

[Nadaka]

That is... Lets just say that that is not an accurate representation of quantum computing.

It is still in its infancy, no large scale applications exist, even in the lab.
The set of problems for which quantum computers are capable of offering a speed up for is very limited, this isn't one of them.

[The Architect]

Job finding doesn't take place once per frame. It is spread out over several frames.

[h3lblad3]

[edit - removed smiley]

This makes me sad.

[Zironic]

I didn't mean to give an accurate measurement of quantum computer and it's current state, I meant to describe the end goal of quantum computing, being able to take advantage of entanglement etc..

[sproingie]

It's more like you got the big picture wrong too.  But since just getting one qubit is unobtanium for anyone but a heavy duty research lab with millions to spend, they may as well be a theoretical oracle for any practical purposes anyway.

[The Architect]

Alright, I thought this quantum crap would die on its own. Quantum computers are theoretical, and there are multiple theories on utilizing the proposed technology. Let's stick to the topic (which is not quantum computing) and not argue meaninglessly.

I could say some crap about not pointing fingers, but that would just be standard forum BS. I'm pointing.

[Zironic]

This whole topic is theoretical, as is a solution that doesn't involve changing the coding of the program or the hardware which it is run on.

[zchris13]

So it is utterly and completely meaningless, and this topic should be left to die.

Just in case that wasn't clear for everybody already.

[The Architect]

You're wrong. We're doing research and discussing what might be the sources of lag in DF. The fact that some inconsiderate people wanted to argue over quantum computers in the middle of it doesn't make this a useless thread.

[zchris13]

It's been done to death already.

[G-Flex]

It's been done to death already.

Then don't post in the thread or read it?

[sproingie]

Some of us like to do the courtesy of responding to "inappropriate" suggestions, such as the fantastical ones, with polite correction instead of cold silence.  Dialogue is after all not just what sustains a sense of community here, it's the only thing that creates it in the first place.  Sometimes the response is not entirely gentle or as polite as it could be, especially when it's a frustratingly frequent topic; the frustration goes back to the self-imposed pressure to respond instead of snubbing someone who may be coming off as occasionally over-eager.

Your own frustration at seeing the conversation "derailed" by speculations about quantum computers (seems relativity and QM are all over the boards lately) is the same kind of reaction others feel when they see Yet Another "Why Not Just Multithread It?" thread come up.

[The Architect]

Hah. This isn't about multithreading. Read the thread; we were researching the causes of the lag. It has a purpose and it was serving it well. I'd like to see it get back to that, and anyone who isn't interested does not need to try to kill it. Mentioning quantum computing was a huge stretch at the best, and arguing over it was a huge discourtesy to everyone in the thread.

[sproingie]

The first post in the thread concerns some kind of oracular virtual machine that would multithread single-threaded code.  That's my summary of it, and yes, the conversation then moved on from there into topics both prosaic and fatuous.  Now it's moved into meta, and I don't think it's very productive, so I'm done with it.