It's actually come a long way. The workflow is still… sub-optimal, but there are some really nice terminal apps (LaTerminal, Prompt, ShellFish, iSH) which are functional too. Working Copy is pretty dope for working with git once you get you adapt to it.
I do most of my dev on a Pi5 now, so actually working on the iPad is not that difficult.
If they ever release Xcode for iPadOS that would be a true gamechanger.
"Prevented from coding" is just not true. There are many python IDEs, Swift Playgrounds, etc. Pythonista, and the like, are neat because you get full access to all the iPhone sensors.
And maybe that's fine? Look at it from the opposite side. All those artists complaining about how terrible macbooks are because you can't draw on them.
iPad has been a workflow gamechanger for folks who use photoshop etc but users are still prevented from coding on it.