Despite the promise and potential of quantum computing, most of the current day developments of quantum computing have several limitations for relevant practical use. As a result, hybrid classical-quantum computing has emerged as a viable solution. This paper discusses the software aspects of hybrid classical-quantum computing solutions to understand and examine how hybrid computing solutions can be expected to work in practice. This paper examines existing software solutions (cloud applications, middleware frameworks, and API gateways) that can enable classical and quantum computing to work together. For practitioners the paper provides a curated list of algorithms, full stack libraries, simulators, and cloud service providers that are likely to be central to the development of any hybrid computing solutions. We conclude by identifying an agenda for future research on classical-quantum hybrid software engineering, and some near-term priorities for development of functional, robust hybrid software systems. The paper argues that due to the deep dependency of quantum execution on classical pre- and post-processing, hybrid computing may represent a near-permanent outcome of classical-quantum computing rather than a transitional workaround.
Despite the promise and potential of quantum computing, most of the current day developments of quantum computing have several limitations for relevant practical use. As a result, hybrid classical-quantum computing has emerged as a viable solution. This paper discusses the software aspects of hybrid classical-quantum computing solutions to understand and examine how hybrid computing solutions can be expected to work in practice. This paper examines existing software solutions (cloud applications, middleware frameworks, and API gateways) that can enable classical and quantum computing to work together. For practitioners the paper provides a curated list of algorithms, full stack libraries, simulators, and cloud service providers that are likely to be central to the development of any hybrid computing solutions. We conclude by identifying an agenda for future research on classical-quantum hybrid software engineering, and some near-term priorities for development of functional, robust hybrid software systems. The paper argues that due to the deep dependency of quantum execution on classical pre- and post-processing, hybrid computing may represent a near-permanent outcome of classical-quantum computing rather than a transitional workaround.
Quantum Computing (QC) is transitioning from theoretical frameworks to an indispensable powerhouse of computational capability, resulting in extensive adoption across both industrial and academic domains. QC presents exceptional advantages, including unparalleled processing speed and the potential to solve complex problems beyond the capabilities of classical computers. Nevertheless, academic researchers and industry practitioners encounter various challenges in harnessing the benefits of this technology. The limited accessibility of QC resources for classical developers, and a general lack of domain knowledge and expertise, represent insurmountable barrier, hence to address these challenges, we introduce a framework- Quantum Computing as a Service for Hybrid Classical-Quantum Software Development (QCSHQD), which leverages service-oriented strategies. Our framework comprises three principal components: an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for user interaction, an abstraction layer dedicated to orchestrating quantum services, and a service provider responsible for executing services on quantum computer. This study presents a blueprint for QCSHQD, designed to democratize access to QC resources for classical developers who want to seamless harness QC power. The vision of QCSHQD paves the way for groundbreaking innovations by addressing key challenges of hybridization between classical and quantum computers.
This article explores the convergence of quantum computing and cloud computing, examining how this integration creates unprecedented opportunities for technological advancement across various sectors. It investigates the current state of quantum cloud services offered by major providers, analyzes technical implementation challenges, and evaluates the transformative potential across industries including finance, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, transportation, and energy. By highlighting real-world applications in both commercial and non-profit contexts, the article demonstrates how quantum cloud integration democratizes access to previously inaccessible quantum resources while enhancing traditional cloud capabilities. It further examines the evolving quantum cloud ecosystem, including software development frameworks, marketplaces, education initiatives, and emerging methods for fault tolerance, illustrating how quantum-classical hybrid models represent the most promising path toward practical quantum computing implementation.
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.
Quantum computing combined with cloud infrastructure is a paradigm-shifting area in computational frameworks. In this paper, we explore the multidimensional aspects of combining quantum processing power into standard cloud computing infrastructures. We discuss upcoming quantum-cloud architecture designs, resource planning approaches, and security challenges of this emerging hybrid paradigm. Our analysis demonstrates significant promise for quantum acceleration within virtualized domains of computation while pinpointing large technical challenges that must be addressed before adoption becomes widespread. Theoretical evaluation of existing quantum cloud service models and experimental deployment scenarios, we outline a roadmap for successful quantum-classical integration in distributed computing systems. We also introduce a novel quantum resource abstraction framework for seamless integration with the classical virtualization infrastructure. The research finds that while enterprise-scale quantum cloud deployment is on the horizon, strategic use of quantum processing units for specialized applications offers near-term value for cloud service providers and their customers.
Hybrid computing models, which integrate both classical and quantum systems, represent a promising frontier in enhancing computational power and efficiency. Classical computing systems, while highly efficient for a broad range of tasks, encounter significant limitations when addressing complex, large-scale problems such as optimization, cryptography, and molecular simulations. Quantum computing, on the other hand, offers exponential speedup for specific algorithms, particularly in areas like factorization, search, and simulation of quantum systems. However, quantum systems are not yet mature enough to replace classical systems entirely, due to issues like error rates, qubit coherence, and the need for cryogenic environments. As a result, hybrid models are emerging as the most viable solution, combining the strengths of both paradigms to tackle computationally intensive tasks more efficiently. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the development and application of hybrid computing models. It explores how these models leverage the parallel processing power of quantum systems while utilizing the robustness and data handling capabilities of classical systems. We discuss various architectures proposed for hybrid computing, focusing on their scalability, efficiency, and real-world applications across industries such as healthcare, finance, cryptography, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, we examine the challenges involved in integrating classical and quantum systems, including synchronization, resource management, and algorithm development. The paper concludes with future directions for hybrid computing, emphasizing the potential for these models to revolutionize fields that rely on high-performance computing by offering unprecedented computational capabilities. In summary, hybrid computing models stand at the intersection of classical and quantum technologies, providing a synergistic approach to solving some of the most challenging computational problems faced today.
Recent advances in quantum computing have sparked excitement that this new computing paradigm could solve previously intractable problems. However, due to the faulty nature of current quantum hardware and quantum-intrinsic noise, the full potential of quantum computing is still years away. Hybrid quantum-classical computing has emerged as a possible compromise that achieves the best of both worlds. In this paper, we look at hybrid quantum-classical computing from a software engineering perspective and present the first empirical study focused on characterizing and evaluating recurrent issues faced by developers of hybrid quantum-classical applications. The study comprised a thorough analysis of 531 real-world issues faced by developers - including software faults, hardware failures, quantum library errors, and developer mistakes - documented in discussion threads from forums dedicated to quantum computing. By qualitatively analyzing such forum threads, we derive a comprehensive taxonomy of recurring issues in hybrid quantum-classical applications that can be used by both application and platform developers to improve the reliability of hybrid applications. The study considered how these recurring issues manifest and their causes, determining that hybrid applications are crash-dominant (74% of studied issues) and that errors were predominantly introduced by application developers (70% of issues). We conclude by identifying recurring obstacles for developers of hybrid applications and actionable recommendations to overcome them.