Informaatikas

Informaatikas is the Estonian term for informatics or computer science. It denotes the study of information processing, computation, and the design, analysis, and implementation of software and information systems. The word can refer to the discipline itself or, with the suffix -ikas, to a professional in the field (an informaatik), i.e., a computer scientist or informatician.

The field encompasses theoretical foundations and practical applications. Core theoretical areas include algorithms, data structures, computational complexity, and models of computation. Practical subjects cover programming, software engineering, databases, information systems, operating systems, computer networks, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, and human–computer interaction. Interdisciplinary work often involves data science, digital humanities, and bioinformatics.

Education and professions are centered in universities and higher education institutions. Degree programs typically offer bachelor’s and master’s tracks in informaatika or related computer science disciplines. Graduates work as software engineers, systems analysts, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, IT consultants, researchers, and educators, contributing to technology companies, public sector IT, and academia.

History and regional context: The development of informaatikas followed the broader evolution of computing in the 20th century, with rapid growth alongside the information society. In Estonia and other countries, the field has been shaped by national research communities, higher education programs, and government initiatives to build digital infrastructure and e-governance.

Relation to related terms: Informaatika is often used interchangeably with computer science in everyday language. An informaatik is a professional in the field, while informaatikas can refer to the discipline as a whole.