What is it about?
Quantum Software Engineering develops tools and methods to make quantum computing practical. Our paper highlights key challenges—complex programming, debugging issues, and lack of tools—and proposes a roadmap to build reliable quantum software for future applications.
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Why is it important?
This work is unique and timely because quantum computing is transitioning from theoretical research to practical applications, yet quantum software engineering (QSE) remains underdeveloped. While there is rapid progress in quantum hardware, the lack of robust software development methodologies hinders adoption. What sets our work apart is that we do not focus solely on algorithms or hardware—instead, we address the entire software development lifecycle for quantum systems, from programming and debugging to testing and deployment. We provide a structured roadmap for overcoming key challenges, making QSE more accessible to researchers, developers, and industry leaders. This work is timely because as quantum computing matures, scalable and reliable software engineering practices are urgently needed. By shaping how quantum applications are built today, our research can accelerate real-world breakthroughs in fields like materials science, AI, and optimization. Increasing readership: Our paper appeals to a broad audience—from quantum computing experts to software engineers unfamiliar with quantum concepts—by bridging the gap between quantum mechanics and practical software development. This makes it a valuable resource for both researchers and practitioners.
Perspectives
this publication represents an important step toward making Quantum Software Engineering (QSE) a structured discipline, rather than just an emerging research trend. As someone deeply involved in both quantum computing and software engineering, I see a growing gap between what quantum hardware can achieve and the software tools available to harness its power effectively. For me, one of the most exciting aspects of this work is the interdisciplinary nature of QSE—it requires blending knowledge from quantum physics, computer science, and software engineering to create a new paradigm for building quantum applications. This is both a challenge and an opportunity: we are defining best practices for a computing model that operates under completely different rules. What makes this research personally rewarding is that it has the potential to shape how quantum software will be developed in the future. Unlike classical software, where engineering principles are well-established, quantum programming is still in its infancy. I believe this work lays the foundation for future advancements, ensuring that when quantum hardware scales up, we will have the right methodologies to develop useful, scalable, and reliable applications. Ultimately, I see this paper as a call to action for researchers, engineers, and industry leaders to join the effort in formalizing QSE, building new tools, and making quantum computing accessible beyond specialized labs. It’s an exciting time to be working in this field, and I hope this research inspires more people to contribute to its growth.
Enrique Moguel
Universidad de Extremadura
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Quantum Software Engineering: Roadmap and Challenges Ahead, ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology, January 2025, ACM (Association for Computing Machinery),
DOI: 10.1145/3712002.
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