Informatica

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.