Quantum computing provides a new dimension in computation, utilizing the principles of quantum mechanics to potentially solve complex problems that are currently intractable for classical computers. However, little research has been conducted about the architecture decisions made in quantum software development, which have a significant influence on the functionality, performance, scalability, and reliability of these systems. The study aims to empirically investigate and analyze architecture decisions made during the development of quantum software systems, identifying prevalent challenges and limitations by using the posts and issues from Stack Exchange and GitHub. We used a qualitative approach to analyze the obtained data from Stack Exchange Sites and GitHub projects. Specifically, we collected data from 151 issues (from 47 GitHub projects) and 43 posts (from three Stack Exchange sites) related to architecture decisions in quantum software development. The results show that in quantum software development (1) architecture decisions are articulated in six linguistic patterns, the most common of which are Solution Proposal and Information Giving, (2) the two major categories of architectural decisions are Implementation Decision and Technology Decision, (3) Quantum Programming Framework is the most common application domain among the sixteen application domains identified, (4) Maintainability is the most frequently considered quality attribute, and (5) Design Issue and Performance Issue are the major limitations and challenges that practitioners face when making architecture decisions in quantum software development. Our results show that the limitations and challenges encountered in architecture decision-making during the development of quantum software systems are strongly linked to the particular features (e.g., quantum entanglement, superposition, and decoherence) of those systems.

翻译：量子计算利用量子力学原理，为计算提供了全新维度，有望解决当前经典计算机难以处理的复杂问题。然而，关于量子软件开发中架构决策的研究却很少，而这些决策对系统的功能性、性能、可扩展性和可靠性具有显著影响。本研究旨在通过Stack Exchange和GitHub上的帖子及问题，实证调查并分析量子软件系统开发过程中的架构决策，识别普遍存在的挑战与局限。我们采用定性方法分析从Stack Exchange站点和GitHub项目获取的数据。具体而言，我们收集了与量子软件开发架构决策相关的151个问题（来自47个GitHub项目）和43篇帖子（来自三个Stack Exchange站点）。结果表明，在量子软件开发中：（1）架构决策通过六种语言模式表达，最常见的是解决方案提案和信息提供；（2）架构决策的两大主要类别是实施决策和技术决策；（3）在识别出的十六个应用领域中，量子编程框架是最常见的领域；（4）可维护性是频率最高的质量属性；（5）设计问题和性能问题是实践者在量子软件开发中做出架构决策时面临的主要局限与挑战。我们的研究结果显示，量子软件系统开发过程中架构决策面临的局限与挑战，与该系统的特定特征（例如量子纠缠、叠加和退相干）密切相关。