Quantum Programming 101: Backend Monitor
Introduction
In a previous tutorial we showed how you can get basic information on all quantum devices using backend_overview().
While this function is great to get information on all quantum devices at a glance it is not detailed on specific information such as qubit and gate errors. To get more detailed information on a quantum device (such as configuration and individual qubits and gates) you can use backend_monitor().
Implementation
Unlike backend_overview() this is for getting information on a specific device so you have to pass the device name in to the function as an argument.
For example to get real time information on the IBMQ Burlngton device you enter the following:
backend_monitor(provider.backends.ibmq_burlington)
and for another device like IBMQ Vigo:
backend_monitor(provider.backends.ibmq_vigo)
Steps
- Copy and paste the code below in to a python file
- Enter your API token in the IBMQ.enable_account(‘Insert API token here’) part
- Save and run
Code
from qiskit import IBMQ
from qiskit.tools.monitor import backend_monitor
IBMQ.enable_account('ENTER API KEY HERE') # Insert your API token in to here
provider = IBMQ.get_provider(hub='ibm-q')
backend_monitor(provider.backends.ibmq_burlington) # Function to get all information back about a quantum device
print('\nPress any key to close')
input()
Output
After the code is ran you will be given a list of information about the device including the configuration and specific information on individual qubits and gates.

Screenshot showing the device information for the IBMQ Burlington quantum device.
Want to learn about Quantum Programming? Head over to Quantum Computing UK.
Related Articles
Quantum Programming 101: Superdense Coding Tutorial
Apr 20, 2020 by Macauley Coggins - Researcher and Founder of Quantum Computing UK
What is Superdense coding? Superdense coding is a quantum communications protocol that allows a user to send 2 classical bits by sending only 1 qubit.
Will Banning Cryptography Keep the Country Safe?
Feb 05, 2020 by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Politicians in the United States have been claiming recently that end-to-end encryption is certainly too dangerous to permit. This movement is serious. Congress even introduced a bill that would remove the protections that we currently have that allow us to legally encrypt information. Lindsey Graham is one such proponent of this restrictive legislation:
Top 8 Online Crypto Communities
Jan 08, 2020 by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Crypto has been explosive in 2021. The gains have been even better than the memes! While dancing cat videos are fun, the wise will also take advantage of the various communities as an opportunity to learn more about the technology that supports decentralized money. I’ve put together a small list of the top crypto communities for you to check out this year!