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Quantum programming language support in the QDK

The Microsoft Quantum Development Kit (QDK) supports development in multiple quantum programming languages with both the QDK extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) and the QDK Python library. With the QDK, you can write quantum programs and submit them to Azure Quantum in your language of choice, or use multiple languages in your development workflow.

Language support in the QDK extension for VS Code

The QDK extension for VS Code directly supports development in the Q# and OpenQASM quantum programming languages. When you open a Q# .qs file or OpenQASM .qasm file in VS Code, you can use all the features of the QDK extension, such as resource estimation, circuit visualization, and job submission to Azure Quantum provider targets. You can also use other VS Code features, such as code completion, IntelliSense, and debugging.

The VS Code extension also includes the QDK circuit editor, a graphical interface to build quantum circuits that you can use in Q# programs.

Language support in the QDK Python library

The QDK Python library supports development in the following quantum programming languages and packages:

  • Q#
  • OpenQASM
  • Qiskit
  • Cirq
  • PennyLane

The QDK library includes modules that let you:

  • Use Jupyter Notebook features, such as visualization tools and a magic command to write Q# code
  • Convert Q# and OpenQASM structs and callables into Python objects for use in other languages and frameworks
  • Connect to your Azure Quantum workspace and submit jobs

Compare QDK language options

The following table compares the availability of languages and frameworks for the VS Code extension and Python library.

Language QDK VS Code extension QDK Python library
Q# Directly available Available through the qdk.qsharp module and the %%qsharp magic command
OpenQASM Directly available Available through the qdk.openqasm module
Qiskit Not available Available through the qdk.qiskit module
Cirq Not available Available through the qdk.cirq module
PennyLane Not available Available through conversion to QIR

Next steps

To get started with the quantum programming languages in the QDK, install the QDK VS Code extension and Python library. For more information, see Set up the QDK.

To submit quantum programs to Azure Quantum in different languages, see the following guides:

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