[R] Make better use of field metadata
- Dominant language
- C++
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- 3d 13h
- Merged PRs (30d)
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Description
### Describe the enhancement requested
In #49631 we enabled field metadata, i.e.
``` r
library(arrow)
mt_table <- arrow_table(mtcars)
mt_schema <- schema(mt_table)
mt_schema[["mpg"]] <- field("mpg", int32())$WithMetadata(list(description = "miles per gallon"))
mt_table <- arrow_table(mtcars, schema = mt_schema)
mt_table$schema[["mpg"]]$metadata
#> $description
#> [1] "miles per gallon"
```
We should do something more with it so that users can see this information and make better use of it. Before opening a PR we need to work out what the UX should be.
### Component(s)
R
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start with the field metadata flow shown in the issue—arrow_table(), schema(), field(), and the metadata accessor—and review the earlier enablement in #49631. Define the intended R user experience for viewing and using metadata before proposing implementation; the issue names no files or tests, so completion is an agreed UX and follow-up scope.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- r
- Domain
- data
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Needs clarification
- Newbie friendliness
- 30/100