The major version jump from Z11 to Z22 was due to the use of vacuum tubes, as opposed to the electromechanical systems used in earlier models.

By the end of 1958 the ZMMD-group had built a working ALGOL 58 compiler for the Z22 computer.

Already in 1954, Zuse had come to an agreement with Heinz Zemanek that his Zuse KG would finance the work of Rudolf Bodo, who helped Zemanek build the early European transistorized computer Mailüfterl, and that after that project Bodo should work for the Zuse KG—there he helped build the transistorized Z23.

The input of data and programs was possible via punch-tape reader and console commands.

Many combinations are quite unusual by modern standards, like 'LLRA 4' means "multiply the accumulator by three".