# Identifying Flakiness in Quantum Programs

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.03256 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.03256/

## Key facts

- Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 7 Feb 2023.

## Built on by (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Large Language Models for Forecasting and Anomaly Detection: A Systematic Literature Review](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.10350/) (2024)
- [Automating Quantum Software Maintenance: Flakiness Detection and Root Cause Analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.23578/) (2024)
- [Identifying Flaky Tests in Quantum Code: A Machine Learning Approach](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.04471/) (2025)
- [Automating Detection and Root-Cause Analysis of Flaky Tests in Quantum Software](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.09029/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In recent years, software engineers have explored ways to assist quantum software programmers. Our goal in this paper is to continue this exploration and see if quantum software programmers deal with some problems plaguing classical programs. Specifically, we examine whether intermittently failing tests, i.e., flaky tests, affect quantum software development. To explore flakiness, we conduct a preliminary analysis of 14 quantum software repositories. Then, we identify flaky tests and categorize their causes and methods of fixing them. We find flaky tests in 12 out of 14 quantum software repositories. In these 12 repositories, the lower boundary of the percentage of issues related to flaky tests ranges between 0.26% and 1.85% per repository. We identify 46 distinct flaky test reports with 8 groups of causes and 7 common solutions. Further, we notice that quantum programmers are not using some of the recent flaky test countermeasures developed by software engineers. This work may interest practitioners, as it provides useful insight into the resolution of flaky tests in quantum programs. Researchers may also find the paper helpful as it offers quantitative data on flaky tests in quantum software and points to new research opportunities.