Code for 'Falling with Style: Factoring up to 255 "with" a Quantum Computer'

This repository contains the code used to collect the data shown in the april fools paper 'Falling with Style: Factoring up to 255 "with" a Quantum Computer'.

Usage instructions

Install python dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Run the tests:

PYTHONPATH=src pytest src

Generate a factoring circuit:

PYTHONPATH=src python src/facto/main_generate_qasm.py --n 15 --g 2

Make the plot shown in the paper:

PYTHONPATH=src python src/facto/main_make_plot.py

Recollect the data from the quantum computer (very manual):

1. Consider changing the hardcoded random seed (currently 2025_04_01) used in src/facto/main_make_plot.py.
2. Set the environment variable QISKIT_TOKEN to your ibm quantum token.
3. Delete the contents of the array in store_collected_shots_from_jobs in src/facto/main_make_plot.py
4. Modify the main method of src/facto/main_make_plot.py; comment the plot call and uncomment the call to run_problems and send_jobs_to_ibm.
5. Once the jobs finish submitting a few minutes later, add the printed contents to the ACTIVE_JOBS array, then remodify main to only have the call to collect_job_results uncommented.
6. Add the printed job results to the array in store_collected_shots_from_job, and clear ACTIVE_JOBS.
7. Goto step 4, unless no jobs were submitted (indicating no more samples requested for any number)
8. Remodify main to only call the plot command, run it, and look at your data