Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Quantum computing, particularly in the area of quantum optimization, is steadily progressing toward practical applications, supported by an expanding range of hardware platforms and simulators. While Software Engineering (SE) optimization has a strong foundation, which is exemplified by the active Search-Based Software Engineering (SBSE) community and numerous classical optimization methods, the growing complexity of modern software systems and their engineering processes demands innovative solutions. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) focuses specifically on studying the literature that applies quantum or quantum-inspired algorithms to solve classical SE optimization problems. We examine 76 primary studies selected from an initial pool of 2083 publications obtained through systematic searches of six digital databases using carefully crafted search strings. Our findings reveal concentrated research efforts in areas such as SE operations and software testing, while exposing significant gaps across other SE activities. Additionally, the SLR uncovers relevant works published outside traditional SE venues, underscoring the necessity of this comprehensive review. Overall, our study provides a broad overview of the research landscape, empowering the SBSE community to leverage quantum advancements in addressing next-generation SE challenges.
DOI: 10.1145/3816147
Authors: Man Zhang, Yuechen Li, Tao Yue, Kai-Yuan Cai
Institution: Beihang University
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4417539413