ARRA (computer)

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title: "ARRA (computer)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["electro-mechanical-computers", "science-and-technology-in-the-netherlands", "one-of-a-kind-computers", "computers-designed-in-the-netherlands"] description: "First Dutch computer" topic_path: "geography/netherlands" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARRA_(computer)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary First Dutch computer ::

The ARRA (Automatische Relais Rekenmachine Amsterdam; Automatic Relay Calculator Amsterdam) was the first Dutch computer, and was built from relays for the Dutch Mathematical Centre (Mathematisch Centrum), which later became the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI).

Computer

It was designed and built by Carel Scholten and Bram Loopstra, and was finished in 1952. Because of reliability problems it was soon taken out of commission, and "updated" to the ARRA II, which actually was a completely new design. In December 1953, electronic ARRA II performed its first programs and was completed in 1954.

Subsequent computers

Other computers designed and built at the Mathematical Centre:

• FERTA (computer)
• ARMAC (computer), 1956

Other very early Dutch computers:

• P3 (computer)
• PASCAL (computer)
• PETER (computer)
• PTERA (computer), 1953
• STEVIN (computer)
• Testudo (computer)
• Electrologica X1
• X2 (computer)
• X4 (computer)
• Electrologica X8
• ZEBRA (computer)
• ZERO (computer)

References

References

1. (1953). "A survey of automatic digital computers". Office of Naval Research, Dept. of the Navy.
2. Nijholt, A.. (2014-06-28). "Computers and Languages: Theory and Practice". Elsevier.
3. Metropolis, Nicholas. (2014-06-28). "History of Computing in the Twentieth Century". Elsevier.
4. (1987). "Zij mogen uiteraard daarbij de zuivere wiskunde niet verwaarloozen". Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica.
5. (1953). "A survey of automatic digital computers". Office of Naval Research, Dept. of the Navy.

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