A software product line approach for developing hybrid software systems

Context:

Quantum computing is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in technology. We will soon increasingly encounter hybrid systems that combine quantum technology with classical software. Software engineering techniques will be required to manage the complexity of designing such systems and their reuse.

Objective:

This paper introduces preliminary ideas concerning developing quantum–classical software using a Software Product Line approach.

Method:

This approach addresses the mentioned challenges and provides a feature model and a whole process to manage variability during the design and development of hybrid quantum–classical software. The usage of this approach is illustrated and discussed using an example in the logistics domain.

Results:

The preliminary insights show the feasibility and suitability of applying the proposed approach to develop complex quantum–classical software.

Conclusions:

The main implication of this research is that it can help to manage complexity, maximize the reuse of classical and quantum software components, and deal with the highly changing technological stack in the current quantum computing field.