Are quantum computers now advanced enough to need operating systems?

A quantum computing start-up is developing its own operating system to run quantum machines, akin to Microsoft Windows or macOS on a standard computer.

The hardware for quantum computers has progressed rapidly. Five years ago, few of these machines contained more than 20 quantum bits, or qubits – the building blocks of quantum computers – whereas today devices with more than 100 qubits are increasingly common. But in order to actually make calculations, those qubits require quantum software.