I think self-taught is more likely to end up with holes in one's education. - I doubt I would have figured out automata theory on my own. Most programming tas

I think self-taught is more likely to end up with holes in one's education. - I doubt I would have figured out automata theory on my own. Most programming tasks are just fine with those holes. - Most programmers don't need to know automata theory Classes assignments included some interesting topics I doubt I wouldn't have come up with on my own. - I know some others are way more self-directed than I was. I expect self-taught people are more likely to develop incorrect mental models of how computers work. In short, it depends on the person and the type of programming.