create_column and delete_column

Max Wang · Max Wang · commit b39c23855da7 · 2025-11-04T10:42:38.000-08:00
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -8,15 +8,15 @@ A Python package allowing developers to connect to Dataverse environments for DD
 - Bulk update — Provide a list of IDs with a single patch (broadcast) or a list of per‑record patches to `update(...)`; internally uses the bound `UpdateMultiple` action; returns nothing. Each record must include the primary key attribute when sent to UpdateMultiple.
 - Retrieve multiple (paging) — Generator-based `get(...)` that yields pages, supports `$top` and Prefer: `odata.maxpagesize` (`page_size`).
 - Upload files — Call `upload_file(logical_name, ...)` and an upload method will be auto picked (you can override the mode). See https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/developer/data-platform/file-column-data?tabs=sdk#upload-files
-- Metadata helpers — Create/inspect/delete simple custom tables (EntityDefinitions + Attributes).
+- Metadata helpers — Create/inspect/delete tables and create/delete columns (EntityDefinitions + Attributes).
 - Pandas helpers — Convenience DataFrame oriented wrappers for quick prototyping/notebooks.
 - Auth — Azure Identity (`TokenCredential`) injection.
 
 ## Features
 
 - Simple `DataverseClient` facade for CRUD, SQL (read-only), and table metadata.
 - SQL-over-API: Constrained SQL (single SELECT with limited WHERE/TOP/ORDER BY) via native Web API `?sql=` parameter.
-- Table metadata ops: create simple custom tables (supports string/int/decimal/float/datetime/bool/optionset) and delete them.
+- Table metadata ops: create/delete simple custom tables (supports string/int/decimal/float/datetime/bool/optionset) and create/delete columns.
 - Bulk create via `CreateMultiple` (collection-bound) by passing `list[dict]` to `create(logical_name, payloads)`; returns list of created IDs.
 - Bulk update via `UpdateMultiple` (invoked internally) by calling unified `update(logical_name, ids, patch|patches)`; returns nothing.
 - Retrieve multiple with server-driven paging: `get(...)` yields lists (pages) following `@odata.nextLink`. Control total via `$top` and per-page via `page_size` (Prefer: `odata.maxpagesize`).
@@ -42,9 +42,11 @@ Auth:
 | `delete` | `delete(logical_name, list[id])` | `None` | Delete many (sequential). |
 | `query_sql` | `query_sql(sql)` | `list[dict]` | Constrained read-only SELECT via `?sql=`. |
 | `create_table` | `create_table(tablename, schema)` | `dict` | Creates custom table + columns. Friendly name (e.g. `SampleItem`) becomes schema `new_SampleItem`; explicit schema name (contains `_`) used as-is. |
+| `create_column` | `create_column(tablename, columns)` | `list[str]` | Adds columns using a `{name: type}` mapping (same shape as `create_table` schema). Returns schema names for the created columns. |
 | `get_table_info` | `get_table_info(schema_name)` | `dict | None` | Basic table metadata by schema name (e.g. `new_SampleItem`). Friendly names not auto-converted. |
 | `list_tables` | `list_tables()` | `list[dict]` | Lists non-private tables. |
 | `delete_table` | `delete_table(tablename)` | `None` | Drops custom table. Accepts friendly or schema name; friendly converted to `new_<PascalCase>`. |
+| `delete_column` | `delete_column(tablename, columns)` | `list[str]` | Deletes one or more columns; returns schema names (accepts string or list[str]). |
 | `PandasODataClient.create_df` | `create_df(logical_name, series)` | `str` | Create one record (returns GUID). |
 | `PandasODataClient.update` | `update(logical_name, id, series)` | `None` | Returns None; ignored if Series empty. |
 | `PandasODataClient.get_ids` | `get_ids(logical_name, ids, select=None)` | `DataFrame` | One row per ID (errors inline). |
@@ -310,6 +312,10 @@ info = client.create_table(
 	},
 )
 
+# Create or delete columns
+client.create_column("SampleItem", {"category": "string"})  # returns ["new_Category"]
+client.delete_column("SampleItem", "category")  # returns ["new_Category"]
+
 logical = info["entity_logical_name"]  # e.g., "new_sampleitem"
 
 # Create a record in the new table
diff --git a/examples/quickstart.py b/examples/quickstart.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 sys.path.append(str(Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1] / "src"))
 
 from dataverse_sdk import DataverseClient
+from dataverse_sdk.errors import MetadataError
 from enum import IntEnum
 from azure.identity import InteractiveBrowserCredential
 import traceback
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ def backoff_retry(op, *, delays=(0, 2, 5, 10, 20), retry_http_statuses=(400, 403
 			break
 	if last_exc:
 		raise last_exc
-
+	
 # Enum demonstrating local option set creation with multilingual labels (for French labels to work, enable French language in the environment first)
 class Status(IntEnum):
 	Active = 1
@@ -141,7 +142,94 @@ class Status(IntEnum):
 				pass
 		# Fail fast: all operations must use the custom table
 		sys.exit(1)
+entity_schema = table_info.get("entity_schema") or "new_SampleItem"
 logical = table_info.get("entity_logical_name")
+metadata_id = table_info.get("metadata_id")
+if not metadata_id:
+	refreshed_info = client.get_table_info(entity_schema) or {}
+	metadata_id = refreshed_info.get("metadata_id")
+	if metadata_id:
+		table_info["metadata_id"] = metadata_id
+
+# 6) Column metadata helpers: column create/delete
+print("Column metadata helpers (create/delete column):")
+scratch_column = f"scratch_{int(time.time())}"
+column_payload = {scratch_column: "string"}
+try:
+	log_call(f"client.create_column('{entity_schema}', {repr(column_payload)})")
+	column_create = client.create_columns(entity_schema, column_payload)
+	if not isinstance(column_create, list) or not column_create:
+		raise RuntimeError("create_column did not return schema list")
+	created_details = column_create
+	if not all(isinstance(item, str) for item in created_details):
+		raise RuntimeError("create_column entries were not schema strings")
+	attribute_schema = created_details[0]
+	odata_client = client._get_odata()
+	exists_after_create = None
+	exists_after_delete = None
+	attr_type_before = None
+	attr_type_before_norm = None
+	if metadata_id and attribute_schema:
+		_ready_message = "Column metadata not yet available"
+		def _metadata_after_create():
+			meta = odata_client._get_attribute_metadata(
+				metadata_id,
+				attribute_schema,
+				extra_select="@odata.type,AttributeType",
+			)
+			if not meta or not meta.get("MetadataId"):
+				raise RuntimeError(_ready_message)
+			return meta
+
+		ready_meta = backoff_retry(
+			_metadata_after_create,
+			delays=(0, 1, 2, 4, 8),
+			retry_http_statuses=(),
+			retry_if=lambda exc: isinstance(exc, RuntimeError) and str(exc) == _ready_message,
+		)
+		exists_after_create = bool(ready_meta)
+		raw_type = ready_meta.get("@odata.type") or ready_meta.get("AttributeType")
+		if isinstance(raw_type, str):
+			attr_type_before = raw_type
+			lowered = raw_type.lower()
+			attr_type_before_norm = lowered.rsplit(".", 1)[-1] if "." in lowered else lowered
+	log_call(f"client.delete_column('{entity_schema}', '{scratch_column}')")
+	column_delete = client.delete_columns(entity_schema, scratch_column)
+	if not isinstance(column_delete, list) or not column_delete:
+		raise RuntimeError("delete_column did not return schema list")
+	deleted_details = column_delete
+	if not all(isinstance(item, str) for item in deleted_details):
+		raise RuntimeError("delete_column entries were not schema strings")
+	if attribute_schema not in deleted_details:
+		raise RuntimeError("delete_columns response missing expected schema name")
+	if metadata_id and attribute_schema:
+		_delete_message = "Column metadata still present after delete"
+		def _ensure_removed():
+			meta = odata_client._get_attribute_metadata(metadata_id, attribute_schema)
+			if meta:
+				raise RuntimeError(_delete_message)
+			return True
+
+		removed = backoff_retry(
+			_ensure_removed,
+			delays=(0, 1, 2, 4, 8),
+			retry_http_statuses=(),
+			retry_if=lambda exc: isinstance(exc, RuntimeError) and str(exc) == _delete_message,
+		)
+		exists_after_delete = not removed
+	print({
+		"created_column": scratch_column,
+		"create_summary": created_details,
+		"delete_summary": deleted_details,
+		"attribute_type_before_delete": attr_type_before,
+		"exists_after_create": exists_after_create,
+		"exists_after_delete": exists_after_delete,
+	})
+except MetadataError as meta_err:
+	print({"column_metadata_error": str(meta_err)})
+except Exception as exc:
+	print({"column_metadata_unexpected": str(exc)})
+sys.exit(0)
 
 # Derive attribute logical name prefix from the entity logical name (segment before first underscore)
 attr_prefix = logical.split("_", 1)[0] if "_" in logical else logical
@@ -527,9 +615,90 @@ def _del_one(rid: str) -> tuple[str, bool, str | None]:
 except Exception as e:
 	print(f"Delete failed: {e}")
 
+pause("Next: column metadata helpers")
+
+# 6) Column metadata helpers: column create/delete
+print("Column metadata helpers (create/delete column):")
+scratch_column = f"scratch_{int(time.time())}"
+column_payload = {scratch_column: "string"}
+try:
+	log_call(f"client.create_column('{entity_schema}', {repr(column_payload)})")
+	column_create = client.create_columns(entity_schema, column_payload)
+	if not isinstance(column_create, list) or not column_create:
+		raise RuntimeError("create_column did not return schema list")
+	created_details = column_create
+	if not all(isinstance(item, str) for item in created_details):
+		raise RuntimeError("create_column entries were not schema strings")
+	attribute_schema = created_details[0]
+	odata_client = client._get_odata()
+	exists_after_create = None
+	exists_after_delete = None
+	attr_type_before = None
+	attr_type_before_norm = None
+	if metadata_id and attribute_schema:
+		_ready_message = "Column metadata not yet available"
+		def _metadata_after_create():
+			meta = odata_client._get_attribute_metadata(
+				metadata_id,
+				attribute_schema,
+				extra_select="@odata.type,AttributeType",
+			)
+			if not meta or not meta.get("MetadataId"):
+				raise RuntimeError(_ready_message)
+			return meta
+
+		ready_meta = backoff_retry(
+			_metadata_after_create,
+			delays=(0, 1, 2, 4, 8),
+			retry_http_statuses=(),
+			retry_if=lambda exc: isinstance(exc, RuntimeError) and str(exc) == _ready_message,
+		)
+		exists_after_create = bool(ready_meta)
+		raw_type = ready_meta.get("@odata.type") or ready_meta.get("AttributeType")
+		if isinstance(raw_type, str):
+			attr_type_before = raw_type
+			lowered = raw_type.lower()
+			attr_type_before_norm = lowered.rsplit(".", 1)[-1] if "." in lowered else lowered
+	log_call(f"client.delete_column('{entity_schema}', '{scratch_column}')")
+	column_delete = client.delete_columns(entity_schema, scratch_column)
+	if not isinstance(column_delete, list) or not column_delete:
+		raise RuntimeError("delete_column did not return schema list")
+	deleted_details = column_delete
+	if not all(isinstance(item, str) for item in deleted_details):
+		raise RuntimeError("delete_column entries were not schema strings")
+	if attribute_schema not in deleted_details:
+		raise RuntimeError("delete_column response missing expected schema name")
+	if metadata_id and attribute_schema:
+		_delete_message = "Column metadata still present after delete"
+		def _ensure_removed():
+			meta = odata_client._get_attribute_metadata(metadata_id, attribute_schema)
+			if meta:
+				raise RuntimeError(_delete_message)
+			return True
+
+		removed = backoff_retry(
+			_ensure_removed,
+			delays=(0, 1, 2, 4, 8),
+			retry_http_statuses=(),
+			retry_if=lambda exc: isinstance(exc, RuntimeError) and str(exc) == _delete_message,
+		)
+		exists_after_delete = not removed
+	print({
+		"created_column": scratch_column,
+		"create_summary": created_details,
+		"delete_summary": deleted_details,
+		"attribute_type_before_delete": attr_type_before,
+		"exists_after_create": exists_after_create,
+		"exists_after_delete": exists_after_delete,
+	})
+except MetadataError as meta_err:
+	print({"column_metadata_error": str(meta_err)})
+except Exception as exc:
+	print({"column_metadata_unexpected": str(exc)})
+
 pause("Next: Cleanup table")
 
-# 6) Cleanup: delete the custom table if it exists
+# 7) Cleanup: delete the custom table if it exists
 print("Cleanup (Metadata):")
 if delete_table_at_end:
 	try:
diff --git a/src/dataverse_sdk/client.py b/src/dataverse_sdk/client.py
@@ -241,6 +241,68 @@ def list_tables(self) -> list[str]:
             A list of table names.
         """
         return self._get_odata()._list_tables()
+    
+    def create_columns(
+        self,
+        tablename: str,
+        columns: Dict[str, Any],
+    ) -> List[str]:
+        """
+        Create one or more columns on an existing table using a schema-style mapping.
+
+        :param tablename: Friendly name ("SampleItem") or full schema name ("new_SampleItem").
+        :type tablename: str
+        :param columns: Mapping of logical names (without prefix) to supported types. Primitive types include
+            ``string``, ``int``, ``decimal``, ``float``, ``datetime``, and ``bool``. Enum subclasses (IntEnum preferred)
+            generate a local option set and can specify localized labels via ``__labels__``.
+        :type columns: Dict[str, Any]
+        :returns: Schema names for the columns that were created.
+        :rtype: list[str]
+        Example:
+            Create two columns on the custom table::
+
+                created = client.create_columns(
+                    "new_SampleItem",
+                    {
+                        "scratch": "string",
+                        "flags": "bool",
+                    },
+                )
+                print(created)
+        """
+        return self._get_odata()._create_columns(
+            tablename,
+            columns,
+        )
+
+    def delete_columns(
+        self,
+        tablename: str,
+        columns: Union[str, List[str]],
+    ) -> List[str]:
+        """
+        Delete one or more columns from a table.
+
+        :param tablename: Friendly or schema name of the table.
+        :type tablename: str
+        :param columns: Column name or list of column names to remove. Friendly names are normalized to schema
+            names using the same prefix logic as ``create_columns``.
+        :type columns: str | list[str]
+        :returns: Schema names for the columns that were removed.
+        :rtype: list[str]
+        Example:
+            Remove two custom columns by schema name:
+
+                removed = client.delete_columns(
+                    "new_SampleItem",
+                    ["new_Scratch", "new_Flags"],
+                )
+                print(removed)
+        """
+        return self._get_odata()._delete_columns(
+            tablename,
+            columns,
+        )
 
     # File upload
     def upload_file(
diff --git a/src/dataverse_sdk/error_codes.py b/src/dataverse_sdk/error_codes.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
 METADATA_ENTITYSET_NAME_MISSING = "metadata_entityset_name_missing"
 METADATA_TABLE_NOT_FOUND = "metadata_table_not_found"
 METADATA_TABLE_ALREADY_EXISTS = "metadata_table_already_exists"
+METADATA_COLUMN_NOT_FOUND = "metadata_column_not_found"
 METADATA_ATTRIBUTE_RETRY_EXHAUSTED = "metadata_attribute_retry_exhausted"
 METADATA_PICKLIST_RETRY_EXHAUSTED = "metadata_picklist_retry_exhausted"
 
diff --git a/src/dataverse_sdk/odata.py b/src/dataverse_sdk/odata.py
