Definitions:

  • Quantum Computing: A type of computing that uses quantum-mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. Quantum computing has the potential to solve certain problems much more efficiently than classical computers, particularly in fields such as cryptography, optimisation, and complex simulations.
  • Quantum Machine Learning: The integration of quantum computing with machine learning. Quantum machine learning leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to enhance the capabilities of machine learning algorithms, potentially leading to more efficient and powerful models for tasks such as optimisation and pattern recognition.
  • Query Language: A computer language used to make queries in databases and information systems. Query languages are designed to retrieve and manipulate data stored in databases. The most well-known query language is SQL (Structured Query Language), which is used to manage and manipulate relational databases.
  • Queue: A data structure that follows the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle, where the first element added to the queue will be the first one to be removed. Queues are used in various computing applications, including task scheduling, message passing, and load balancing. In cloud computing, message queues are used to manage and distribute tasks across different components of a system.
  • Quality Assurance (QA): The process of ensuring that a product, service, or system meets specified requirements and standards. Quality assurance involves systematic activities such as planning, inspection, and testing to prevent defects and ensure that the final product meets quality expectations. In software development, QA focuses on identifying and resolving issues to improve the reliability and performance of software.
  • Query Optimisation: The process of improving the performance of database queries to ensure they execute efficiently. Query optimisation involves techniques such as indexing, query rewriting, and caching to reduce the time and resources required to retrieve data. Effective query optimisation is crucial for maintaining the performance and scalability of database systems.
  • Quorum Sensing: A process used by bacteria to monitor the density of their population. In the context of AI and data science, quorum sensing algorithms are inspired by this biological process and are used for decentralised decision-making and coordination in distributed systems. These algorithms enable nodes in a network to make collective decisions based on the state of the system.
  • Q-Learning: A type of reinforcement learning algorithm that enables an agent to learn the optimal policy for a given problem by exploring and exploiting the environment. Q-learning updates a Q-value table, which represents the expected utility of taking a given action in a given state. The agent uses this table to make decisions that maximise the cumulative reward over time.