Self-learning the basics of programming or at the university?

Question

Programming

Hello, I'm 18, it so happened that I started to study programming on my own, back at school 3 years ago, I studied the C # language, and I think this happens to many when studying on their own, I didn’t study exactly what I needed. I began to rush into learning and studied the technologies needed to create large projects, while skipping the basics of programming. This resulted in the fact that I am poorly oriented in terminology and theory. The process of writing code consists of trial and error, if something doesn’t work out, I change the code, check if it works, if not, I change it somehow, and so it doesn’t work yet, but I can’t explain why it’s so, and not otherwise. Also there are problems in the continuation of development, because reading more complex documentation but I can understand the terms. In addition, from studying other subjects, I concluded, that a good base helps to better master more complex topics. For example, if you are well versed in the basics of mathematics, higher mathematics is easier than if you start studying higher mathematics, while studying the main theorems.
Because of this, the question arose of what to do next. The first option is to start with computer science books, and start learning the basics of programming, algorithms, data structures, etc. At the same time, go back three years. Either continue to improve the knowledge of the studied technology, and study the basics at the university. As I understand it, at the university they will study the theory and the basics.
The question is what to choose from these two options? I ask for an answer from experienced programmers, which will allow me to become a good specialist, I don’t want to waste time in vain.
PS I have already decided that I will study C #, and applied programming.
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Unfortunately, I did not understand. The question was not whether or not to go to university. And is it worth it to learn the basics of programming yourself, or will the theoretical base that is given at the university be enough? It seems that due to the fact that I tried to fully convey my situation, the meaning of the question was distorted.

Answer 1

If you know at least something, then cut yourself on the nose - programming at the university is not taught about the word "absolutely". They teach only the basics that you could learn at school. And they could study on their own.
The exception is less than 10 of the best universities in the country.
But communication is yes.
Communication with other students who know something; communication with teachers; some experience in carrying out more serious projects than the vast majority does for credit - may be the case.
If you have already definitely decided to do programming, then you should have started at 14-15.
And at 18 - immediately start on your own.

Answer 2

deferment from the army, or even a military department, plus you’ll get a job as a junior after the first half of the year :)
Don’t expect other goodies, they don’t teach anything at universities, but it gives other pluses, these are new acquaintances and friends, and a tower is needed if you migrate west on a work visa

Answer 3

"began to rush into learning and learned the technologies that are needed to create large projects, while skipping the basics of programming."
Can you explain clearly what you mean by "studied"?
If you studied complex projects, then it is understood that you wrote them, you have working complex products. How can you not learn the basics - it is not clear.
If by "studied" you mean "read 10 books, wrote 1 example on the site and zero programs" - then you did not study, but read books.
Just write code.

Answer 4

This resulted in the fact that I am poorly oriented in terminology and theory
. For example, I am well versed in the basics of mathematics

you don’t speak Russian even
if you don’t even know how to use ordinary human language - you won’t be able to be a programmer,
try to go to the army

Answer 5

You have a classic story, they started from the application level, and then ran into theory. It's okay, a lot of people go through this.
If you want to continue programming, you need theory. At least in the minimum amount. Algorithms and data structures, combinatorics, etc.
To master the theory, it’s definitely not worth spending 5 years at a university. You can find a good teacher and work with him individually. The best is the teacher, not the programmer-practitioner. Programmers are bad teachers.
You can do it yourself from books or YouTube lessons, it will take more time than with a mentor, but it's better than nothing.

Answer 6

If you want to learn the basics, learn the basics, it's simple. I don’t advise you to go to a university (except for the sake of a piece of paper), no one will teach you there, plus you will have to take a bunch of unnecessary humanitarianism. Do not forget to study the PC architecture, C and assembler, it will come in handy.

Answer 7

The first option is to start with computer science books, and start learning the basics of programming, algorithms, data structures, etc. At the same time, go back three years. Either continue to improve the knowledge of the studied technology, and study the basics at the university. As I understand it, at the university they will study the theory and the basics.
The question is what to choose from these two options? I ask for an answer from experienced programmers, which will allow me to become a good specialist, I don’t want to waste time in vain.

Well, probably they have already written about this here - the university will not give you a silver bullet, you will have to alchemy knowledge yourself. It is not worth throwing away the university, take it as some kind of part-time job. In the sense that define it as a certain space in which you develop, but which does not define you. That doesn't tell you who you are. What are you.
Know that you can't go back anywhere. You think that you violated the order of training - you even try to roll back so that everything is in order, but in my opinion you simply misunderstand the significance of the components. Algorithms, data structures...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZulLbzf0uA
Catch what these dudes are talking about between words and everything will work out for you.