Currently in the Python layer we have ds.field(name) for referencing a field eg when creating a filter expression.

On the C++ side, the FieldRef has the ability to reference nested fields (eg a child of a struct), for example constructed with FieldRef::FromDotPath.

We should think about how to enable users to reference nested fields like this in the Python API.

Reporter: Joris Van den Bossche / @jorisvandenbossche
Assignee: Alenka Frim / @AlenkaF

Related issues:

• [Python] Selective projection of struct fields errors with use_legacy_dataset = False (blocks)
• [Python] parquet.read_table nested fields in columns does not work for use_legacy_dataset=False (blocks)
• [C++] Support nested FieldRefs (is blocked by)

PRs and other links:

• GitHub Pull Request #12863
• GitHub Pull Request #9799

_{Note: This issue was originally created as ARROW-11259. Please see the migration documentation for further details.}