Advancing Quantum Software Engineering: A Vision of Hybrid Full-Stack Iterative Model (2403.11670v1)
Abstract: This paper introduces a vision for Quantum Software Development lifecycle, proposing a hybrid full-stack iterative model that integrates quantum and classical computing. Addressing the current challenges in Quantum Computing (QC) such as the need for integrating diverse programming languages and managing the complexities of quantum-classical systems, this model is rooted in the principles of DevOps and continuous software engineering. It presents a comprehensive lifecycle for quantum software development, encompassing quantum-agnostic coding, testing, deployment, cloud computing services, orchestration, translation, execution, and interpretation phases. Each phase is designed to accommodate the unique demands of QC, enabling traditional software developers to engage with QC environments without needing in-depth QC expertise. The paper presents a detailed implementation roadmap, utilizing a range of existing tools and frameworks, thereby making quantum software development more accessible and efficient. The proposed model not only addresses current challenges in quantum software development but also makes a substantial contribution to the field of Quantum Software Engineering (QSE). By proposing a structured and accessible model, it sets the stage for further advancements and research in QSE, enhancing its practicality and relevance in a wide range of applications.
- Classical to quantum software migration journey begins: a conceptual readiness model. In International Conference on Product-Focused Software Process Improvement (2022), Springer, pp. 563–573.
- Architecting the future of software engineering: A national agenda for software engineering research and development. Softw. Eng. Inst., Pittsburgh, PA, USA, AD1152714 (2021).
- Towards quantum-algorithms-as-a-service. In Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Quantum Programming for Software Engineering (2022), pp. 7–10.
- Software engineering for quantum programming: How far are we? Journal of Systems and Software 190 (2022), 111326.
- Deutsch, D. Quantum theory, the church–turing principle and the universal quantum computer. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences 400, 1818 (1985), 97–117.
- Quantum-enhanced grid of the future: A primer. IEEE Access 8 (2020), 188993–189002.
- Continuous software engineering: A roadmap and agenda. Journal of Systems and Software 123 (2017), 176–189.
- Google. Cirq. https://quantumai.google/cirq/google/concepts, 2022.
- IBM. Qiskit. https://qiskit.org/, 2021.
- Microsoft. Q# and the quantum development kit. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/development-kit/quantum-computing/#overview, 2021.
- Microsoft. Devops for quantum computing. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/guide/quantum/devops-for-quantum-computing, 2023.
- Toward a quantum software engineering. IT Professional 23, 1 (2021), 62–66.
- Enabling continuous deployment techniques for quantum services. Authorea Preprints (2023).
- The quantum software lifecycle. In Proceedings of the 1st ACM SIGSOFT International Workshop on Architectures and Paradigms for Engineering Quantum Software (2020), pp. 2–9.
- Zhao, J. Quantum software engineering: Landscapes and horizons. arXiv preprint arXiv:2007.07047 (2020).