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Transforming Quantum Programmes in KDM to Quantum Design Models in UML
Pub. online: 22 January 2025      Type: Research Article      Open accessOpen Access
Received
1 April 2024
Accepted
1 December 2024
Published
22 January 2025

Abstract

Quantum computing has come to stay in our lives. Companies are investing billions of dollars in it because of the potential benefits that it can achieve, providing promising applications in almost every business sector. Although quantum computing is evolving at an exponential rate, the development of tools, techniques, or frameworks for the evolution of current information systems towards quantum software systems is still proving to be a challenge. This research contributes to the evolution of current information systems towards hybrid information systems (combining the classical and quantum computing paradigm). We propose a software modernization process, by following model-driven engineering principles, adapted to the quantum paradigm, based on modified versions of standards for reverse engineering of classical, quantum software assets, and for the design of the target system. In particular, this paper focuses on the restructuring transformation from KDM to UML models, where KDM models have been generated from Q# code. This proposal has been validated through a case study involving 17 programmes. The results obtained show optimistic values regarding the complexity of the UML models generated, their expressiveness and scalability. The main implication of this research is that UML models can indeed help the software evolution of/toward hybrid information systems.

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Biographies

Jiménez-Navajas Luis
luis.jimeneznvajas@uclm.es

L. Jiménez-Navajas obtained his PhD on computer science from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). He is currently a member of the scientific research group aQuantum, working on the software modernization of classical-quantum information systems with specific focus on hybrid software modernization.

Pérez-Castillo Ricardo
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9271-3184
ricardo.pdelcastillo@uclm.es

R. Pérez-Castillo holds the PhD degree in computer science from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). He works at the IT & Social Sciences School of Talavera at University of Castilla-La Mancha. His research interests include architecture-driven modernization, model-driven development and business process archaeology. Currently member of the aQuantum scientific research team where he works on the migration of classical systems to quantum architectures and quantum software reengineering.

Piattini Mario
mario.piattini@uclm.es

M. Piattini MSc. (1989) and PhD (1994) in computer science from Madrid Technical University (UPM). PMP, CISA, CISM, CGEIT and CRISC. Founder-Director of the Information Systems and Technologies of the UCLM (University of Castilla-La Mancha) and of the UCLM-INDRA Research and Development Joint Center. Between the “15 Top scholars in the field of systems and software engineering (2004–2008)” and the “Among the 15 “Most active experienced SE researchers (2010–2017)”. Full Professor of Software Engineering at UCLM, and leader of the Alarcos Research Group and scientific director of AQCLab, S.L. (first ENAC / ILAC accredited laboratory for software and data quality based on ISO 25000). He is currently the leader of the aQuantum scientific research team (Alarcos Group).


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© 2025 Vilnius University
Open access article under the CC BY license.

Keywords
quantum software engineering software modernization hybrid information systems model transformation KDM UML

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