🤖 AI Summary
This study addresses the dominance of classical testing methods and the limited adoption of cutting-edge quantum verification techniques in quantum algorithm testing—particularly within the Qiskit Algorithms library. Employing empirical software engineering methodologies, we systematically identify and categorize seven prevalent testing patterns: fixed-seed testing, deterministic oracles, exact/approximate assertions, data-driven testing, functional testing, intermediate-state verification, and quantum circuit equivalence checking. Through large-scale empirical analysis, we reveal a significant gap between industry and academia: despite numerous quantum-native verification approaches proposed in research, current engineering practice remains heavily reliant on classical testing paradigms. Our work provides a foundational empirical basis and a structured taxonomy to bridge the theory–practice divide and advance standardization in quantum software engineering.
📝 Abstract
Although classical computing has excelled in a wide range of applications, there remain problems that push the limits of its capabilities, especially in fields like cryptography, optimization, and materials science. Quantum computing introduces a new computational paradigm, based on principles of superposition and entanglement to explore solutions beyond the capabilities of classical computation. With the increasing interest in the field, there are challenges and opportunities for academics and practitioners in terms of software engineering practices, particularly in testing quantum programs. This paper presents an empirical study of testing patterns in quantum algorithms. We analyzed all the tests handling quantum aspects of the implementations in the Qiskit Algorithms library and identified seven distinct patterns that make use of (1) fixed seeds for algorithms based on random elements; (2) deterministic oracles; (3) precise and approximate assertions; (4) Data-Driven Testing (DDT); (5) functional testing; (6) testing for intermediate parts of the algorithms being tested; and (7) equivalence checking for quantum circuits. Our results show a prevalence of classical testing techniques to test the quantum-related elements of the library, while recent advances from the research community have yet to achieve wide adoption among practitioners.