Learn FOREST-SDK with Real Code Examples

Forest SDK allows developers to build quantum circuits in Python via pyQuil, compile them with Quilc, and run them on both simulators and real quantum hardware.

It supports hybrid quantum‑classical algorithms, enabling variational circuits and optimization workflows.

Forest integrates with Rigetti’s Quantum Cloud Services (QCS) so users can run on Rigetti QPUs or Virtual Machines (QVMs).

Quil - a quantum instruction language designed by Rigetti

pyQuil library for writing Quil programs in Python

quilc compiler to compile Quil to machine-native instructions

QVM for simulating quantum programs on classical hardware

QPU backend integration for real hardware execution via QCS

Qubit: a quantum bit used in quantum circuits

Quil: instruction set / assembly-like language for quantum programs

pyQuil: library to write Quil programs in Python

QVM: a simulator that can execute Quil programs on classical hardware

QPU: Rigetti’s physical quantum processor accessible via QCS

scripts/ - Python scripts defining pyQuil programs

quil/ - raw Quil program files (optional)

simulations/ - QVM simulation results

data/ - measurement and experiment data

notebooks/ - Jupyter notebooks for experimentation

Define qubits and quantum gates in Python using pyQuil

Generate a Quil program from your pyQuil code

Compile the Quil program with quilc for target execution

Run the program on the QVM for simulation or on QPU via QCS

Retrieve measurement results and perform post‑processing

Beginner: write and simulate basic quantum circuits (Hadamard, CNOT)

Intermediate: parametric circuits and variational algorithms

Advanced: compile circuits for real hardware, hybrid classical‑quantum workflows

Expert: performance optimization, error mitigation, custom Quil control flow

Enterprise: deploy hybrid algorithms via QCS, integrate with classical compute

Forest vs Qiskit: Forest uses Quil and targets Rigetti hardware; Qiskit uses OpenQASM and primarily targets IBM hardware

Forest vs Cirq: Forest focuses on Quil and QVM / QPU execution; Cirq is more general for Google‑style circuits and customizable gates

Forest vs Pennylane: Pennylane is ML-first, but can integrate with Forest via plugin; Forest gives you low level Quil control

Forest vs Braket: Braket supports multi‑vendor hardware, while Forest is specialized for Rigetti’s stack

Forest vs PyQuil alone: Forest SDK includes simulator (QVM) and compiler (quilc), not just the pyQuil library

Forest (initial) - developed by Rigetti as their full-stack SDK.

Forest 1.0 - Rigetti announced public beta for their SDK. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

pyQuil evolves (v2.x) - major updates in its APIs. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Integration with Quantum Cloud Services (QCS) for real hardware access. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Ongoing community development (benchmarking, optimization, hybrid algorithms).

Quil: Quantum Instruction Language developed by Rigetti

pyQuil: Python library for writing Quil programs

quilc: Quil compiler that optimizes Quil programs

QVM: Quantum Virtual Machine (simulator)

QPU: Quantum Processing Unit (real quantum hardware)