I can write code with it, and execute on it in some cases. For example, I find myself using Swift Playground to quickly test out some code I’m tinkering with and run it on device. Or Pythonista/the other interpreters on the App Store. Or I use Blink to SSH into a VM where I can write code to run on Linux etc. I use it quite often.

I don't think this qualifies. You have to use bespoke tools end environments to be able to code in a very limited fashion.

I think a lot of people can get by just fine with SSH/mosh, vim, tmux... I did this for a bit but actually run vs code-server a lot too.

That setup requires you to always have internet. It also requires you to have a remote PC somewhere where you develop. The Ipad is little more then a screen in that case. In contrast I use a Surface Pro and I don't even have a desktop PC.

That's the difference between these devices. One is a fully fledged computer where you can do whatever you want on it. The other is a glorified teletype terminal. It's fine that the iPad Pro isn't a fully functional computing device but the thing that is wrong is Apply positioning it as such.

The bigger issue isn’t writing code (that’s feasible, as is using git), it’s building code. You need a server to load it to or a build pipeline setup for the repository.

Xcode is rumored to arrive on iPad this year.

As much as I want this rumor to be true, the leaker that “leaked” this has a terrible track record. Furthermore, what he “leaked” is something already in iOS 13 thats meant to be a companion app to Xcode for some debugging stuff.

Sir you’ve given me a reason to live.