POC for easier column extraction

python/datafusion/dataframe.py

@@ -1068,6 +1068,26 @@ def to_arrow_table(self) -> pa.Table:
         """
         return self.df.to_arrow_table()
 
+    def to_arrow_array(self) -> pa.ChunkedArray:
+        """Execute the :py:class:`DataFrame` and convert it into an Arrow Array.
+
+        Only valid when :py:class:`DataFrame` contains a single column.
+
+        Returns:
+            Arrow Array.
+        """
+        return self.df.to_arrow_array()
+
+    def column(self, column_name: str) -> pa.ChunkedArray:
+        """Execute the :py:class:`DataFrame` and convert it into an Arrow Array.
+
+        Only valid when :py:class:`DataFrame` contains a single column.
+
+        Returns:
+            Arrow Array.
+        """
+        return self.df.column(column_name)
+
     def execute_stream(self) -> RecordBatchStream:
         """Executes this DataFrame and returns a stream over a single partition.
 

python/tests/test_dataframe.py

@@ -1694,6 +1694,23 @@ def test_to_arrow_table(df):
     assert set(pyarrow_table.column_names) == {"a", "b", "c"}
 
 
+def test_to_arrow_array(df):
+    # Convert datafusion dataframe to pyarrow Array
+    pyarrow_array = df.select("a").to_arrow_array()
+    assert isinstance(pyarrow_array, pa.ChunkedArray)
+    assert pyarrow_array.to_numpy().shape == (3,)
+
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="single column"):
+        df.to_arrow_array()
+
+
+def test_column(df):
+    # Grab column from datafusion dataframe as pyarrow Array
+    pyarrow_array = df.column("a")
+    assert isinstance(pyarrow_array, pa.ChunkedArray)
+    assert pyarrow_array.to_numpy().shape == (3,)
+
+
 def test_execute_stream(df):
     stream = df.execute_stream()
     assert all(batch is not None for batch in stream)

src/dataframe.rs

@@ -859,6 +859,29 @@ impl PyDataFrame {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    /// Extract a single column directly as an Arrow Array
+    fn column(&self, py: Python<'_>, column_name: &str) -> PyResult<PyObject> {
+        let single_column_df = self.select(vec![PyExpr::column(column_name)])?;
+        let array = single_column_df.to_arrow_array(py)?;
+        Ok(array)
+    }
+
+    /// Convert to Arrow Array
+    /// Collect the batches and pass to Arrow Array
+    fn to_arrow_array(&self, py: Python<'_>) -> PyResult<PyObject> {
+        let table = self.to_arrow_table(py)?;
+        let args = table.getattr(py, "column_names")?;
+        let column_names = args.extract::<Bound<PyList>>(py)?;
+        if column_names.len() != 1 {
+            return Err(PyValueError::new_err(
+                "to_arrow_array only supports single column DataFrames",
+            ));
+        }
+        let column_name = column_names.get_item(0)?;
+        let array: PyObject = table.call_method1(py, "column", (column_name,))?;
+        Ok(array)
+    }
+
     /// Convert to Arrow Table
     /// Collect the batches and pass to Arrow Table
     fn to_arrow_table(&self, py: Python<'_>) -> PyResult<PyObject> {