An academic field, basically the same thing as
computer science, it's a compound word of 'Information' and 'Mathematics'. Mostly used in europe.
Informatics cover a broad spread of topics, in general it is about data storage, procession and transmission. While it is a science on it's own, it can also be viewed as a meta science much like
mathematics for the process of information gathering and processing taking place in all academic fields.
Has the advantage over the term "
computer science" that people don't confuse it with learning how to operate a computer.
"So uh, you study
computer science?"
"It's called Informatics!"
"What's the difference?"
"Not much really, just the fact that Informatics doesn't have all too much to do with computers- just like
computer science."
"Huh?"
" 'Computer science is no more about computers than
astronomy is about telescopes.'
-- Edsger W. Dijkstra"