Re: Next generation COBOL?

In article <3uqhohF12lnkiU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Steve Richfie1d <Steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Herwig,
>
>I attended a talk and had some discussions afterwards with a group who
>was working on a quantum computer for the NSA. The question came up:
>Immediate problems aside, what COULD quantum computers potentially do
>for us better than conventional computers?

With all possible respect due, Mr Richfield, to both the group's
participants and the conclusions to which they may have come... it is my
opinion that what they conclude these computers 'might potentially do' and
what such devices will wind up doing could be entirely different things.

'Look, Franz! I have just patented The Method of and Apparatus for
Controlling Mechanism of Moving Vehicle or Vehicles!'

'How wonderful, Mr Tesla! This means our children will live to see the
day when they will not have to get out of bed to change the channels on
the television!'

.... or so those present at the inception of what became the remote
control might have said... had television existed at the time.

DD
.