What is Shor's algorithm?

Quantum Computing Questions



80 Short 80 Medium 76 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is Shor's algorithm?

Shor's algorithm is a quantum algorithm developed by Peter Shor in 1994. It is a polynomial-time algorithm that can efficiently factor large integers, which is a problem that is believed to be computationally hard for classical computers. Shor's algorithm utilizes the principles of quantum superposition and entanglement to perform parallel computations, allowing it to factorize large numbers significantly faster than classical algorithms. This algorithm has significant implications for cryptography as it poses a potential threat to the security of widely used encryption schemes based on the difficulty of factoring large numbers.