ISO/IEC 4879:2024

Overview

ISO/IEC 4879:2024 - Information technology - Quantum computing - Vocabulary is the first-edition international standard (May 2024) that defines common terms used across the field of quantum computing. Its primary purpose is to provide a consistent, authoritative vocabulary to support clear communication, documentation, education, procurement and policy across all types of organizations (commercial enterprises, government agencies, not-for-profits, research institutions).

Key facts:

• Title: Information technology - Quantum computing - Vocabulary
• Reference: ISO/IEC 4879:2024 (first edition)
• Scope: Defines terms commonly used in quantum computing to enable exchange of concepts
• Normative references: None

Key topics covered

The standard organizes terminology into logical subject groups and provides definitions sourced from related ISO/IEC documents. Major topical areas include:

• Background terms (models, model parameters, machine learning, simulators, programming concepts)
• Quantum physics background (Hilbert space, operators, quantum state, superposition, entanglement, Hamiltonian, eigenstates/eigenvalues)
• Quantum information (quantum information, quantum encoding, qubit and related concepts)
• Quantum processing and technologies (measurement, coherence, decoherence, coherence and relaxation times)
• Related quantum technologies and cross-references to existing terminology databases

Examples of specific vocabulary defined in the standard: qubit, quantum state, quantum entanglement, Hilbert space, Hamiltonian, projective measurement, decoherence, coherence time.

Practical applications

ISO/IEC 4879:2024 is a foundational reference that adds practical value by:

• Ensuring consistent terminology in technical specifications, research papers, contracts and procurement documents
• Supporting interoperability among vendors, developers and integrators through shared definitions
• Aiding regulatory and policy work by reducing ambiguity in legal and security texts (e.g., discussions about cryptographic risk from quantum computers)
• Informing education, training and public communications on quantum computing concepts
• Helping standards committees and technical writers produce harmonized documentation

Who should use this standard

• Quantum hardware and software developers
• System integrators and cloud service providers offering quantum services
• Researchers and educators in quantum information science
• Procurement officers, legal and regulatory teams drafting contracts and policies
• Security teams assessing post-quantum risks
• Standards bodies and technical writers

Related standards and resources

ISO/IEC 4879 cites and aligns with terminology from existing standards and databases, for example:

• ISO/IEC 22989:2022 (related definitions)
• ISO/IEC/IEEE 24765:2017 (software/system terms)
• ISO/IEC 2382:2015 and ISO/IEC 18031:2011 (source definitions)
• ISO Online Browsing Platform and IEC Electropedia for standardized terminology lookup

By standardizing the vocabulary for quantum computing, ISO/IEC 4879:2024 helps organizations communicate precisely about emerging quantum technologies, their capabilities, and associated risks.