wgtmac commented on code in PR #77:
URL: https://github.com/apache/iceberg-cpp/pull/77#discussion_r2047239865


##########
src/iceberg/struct_like.h:
##########
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "iceberg/iceberg_export.h"
+#include "iceberg/result.h"
+#include "iceberg/type.h"
+
+namespace iceberg {
+
+class Scalar;
+class StructScalar;
+class ArrayScalar;
+class ScalarVisitor;
+class StructLike;
+class StructLikeVisitor;
+/**
+ * @brief Base class representing a generic scalar value.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT Scalar {
+ public:
+  virtual ~Scalar() = default;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Checks if the scalar represents a null value.
+   * @return true if the value is null, false otherwise.
+   */
+  virtual bool IsNull() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Casts the scalar to a specific derived type.
+   * @tparam T The target derived Scalar type.
+   * @return Reference to the casted value.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if the cast fails.
+   */
+  template <typename T>
+  const T& as() const {
+    auto ptr = dynamic_cast<const T*>(this);
+    if (!ptr) throw std::bad_cast();
+    return *ptr;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Creates a deep copy of the scalar.
+   * @return A shared pointer to the cloned scalar.
+   */
+  virtual std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Accepts a visitor for dispatching based on scalar type.
+   * @param visitor The visitor to accept.
+   */
+  virtual void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Visitor interface for Scalar, supporting type-dispatched operations.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT ScalarVisitor {
+ public:
+  virtual ~ScalarVisitor() = default;
+
+  /// Visit methods for primitive types
+  virtual void visit(int32_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(int64_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(float value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(double value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(bool value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(const std::string& value) = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Called when visiting a null scalar.
+   */
+  virtual void visitNull() = 0;
+
+  /// Visit methods for complex types
+  virtual void visitStruct(const StructScalar& value) = 0;
+  virtual void visitArray(const ArrayScalar& value) = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents a scalar that holds a primitive value.
+ * @tparam T The type of the primitive value.
+ */
+template <typename T>
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT PrimitiveScalar : public Scalar {
+ public:
+  /**
+   * @brief Constructs a PrimitiveScalar from an optional value.
+   * @param value The optional primitive value.
+   */
+  explicit PrimitiveScalar(std::optional<T> value) : value_(std::move(value)) 
{}
+
+  bool IsNull() const override { return !value_.has_value(); }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the actual value held by the scalar.
+   * @return Reference to the value.
+   * @note Behavior is undefined if the scalar is null.
+   */
+  const T& value() const { return *value_; }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief (Deprecated) Type-specific accessor for raw value.
+   * @tparam U Must match T.
+   * @return Reference to the value if types match.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if U does not match T.
+   */
+  template <typename U>
+  const U& as() const {
+    if constexpr (std::is_same_v<T, U>) return *value_;
+    throw std::bad_cast();
+  }
+
+  std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const override {
+    return std::make_shared<PrimitiveScalar<T>>(value_);
+  }
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visit(*value_);
+    }
+  }
+
+ private:
+  std::optional<T> value_;
+};
+
+// Aliases for common primitive scalar types
+using Int32Scalar = PrimitiveScalar<int32_t>;
+using Int64Scalar = PrimitiveScalar<int64_t>;
+using DoubleScalar = PrimitiveScalar<double>;
+using StringScalar = PrimitiveScalar<std::string>;
+using BoolScalar = PrimitiveScalar<bool>;
+
+/**
+ * @brief Base class for scalars that contain a vector of child Scalars.
+ * @tparam Derived The concrete subclass type (CRTP).
+ */
+template <typename Derived>
+class VectorScalarBase : public Scalar {

Review Comment:
   It is a little bit weird that values in it have different meanings in the 
`StructScalar` (horizontal) and `ArrayScalar` (vertical).



##########
src/iceberg/struct_like.h:
##########
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "iceberg/iceberg_export.h"
+#include "iceberg/result.h"
+#include "iceberg/type.h"
+
+namespace iceberg {
+
+class Scalar;
+class StructScalar;
+class ArrayScalar;
+class ScalarVisitor;
+class StructLike;
+class StructLikeVisitor;
+/**
+ * @brief Base class representing a generic scalar value.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT Scalar {
+ public:
+  virtual ~Scalar() = default;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Checks if the scalar represents a null value.
+   * @return true if the value is null, false otherwise.
+   */
+  virtual bool IsNull() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Casts the scalar to a specific derived type.
+   * @tparam T The target derived Scalar type.
+   * @return Reference to the casted value.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if the cast fails.
+   */
+  template <typename T>
+  const T& as() const {
+    auto ptr = dynamic_cast<const T*>(this);
+    if (!ptr) throw std::bad_cast();
+    return *ptr;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Creates a deep copy of the scalar.
+   * @return A shared pointer to the cloned scalar.
+   */
+  virtual std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Accepts a visitor for dispatching based on scalar type.
+   * @param visitor The visitor to accept.
+   */
+  virtual void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Visitor interface for Scalar, supporting type-dispatched operations.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT ScalarVisitor {
+ public:
+  virtual ~ScalarVisitor() = default;
+
+  /// Visit methods for primitive types
+  virtual void visit(int32_t value) = 0;

Review Comment:
   Shouldn't it accept `Int32Scalar`?



##########
src/iceberg/struct_like.h:
##########
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "iceberg/iceberg_export.h"
+#include "iceberg/result.h"
+#include "iceberg/type.h"
+
+namespace iceberg {
+
+class Scalar;
+class StructScalar;
+class ArrayScalar;
+class ScalarVisitor;
+class StructLike;
+class StructLikeVisitor;
+/**
+ * @brief Base class representing a generic scalar value.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT Scalar {
+ public:
+  virtual ~Scalar() = default;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Checks if the scalar represents a null value.
+   * @return true if the value is null, false otherwise.
+   */
+  virtual bool IsNull() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Casts the scalar to a specific derived type.
+   * @tparam T The target derived Scalar type.
+   * @return Reference to the casted value.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if the cast fails.
+   */
+  template <typename T>
+  const T& as() const {
+    auto ptr = dynamic_cast<const T*>(this);
+    if (!ptr) throw std::bad_cast();
+    return *ptr;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Creates a deep copy of the scalar.
+   * @return A shared pointer to the cloned scalar.
+   */
+  virtual std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Accepts a visitor for dispatching based on scalar type.
+   * @param visitor The visitor to accept.
+   */
+  virtual void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Visitor interface for Scalar, supporting type-dispatched operations.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT ScalarVisitor {
+ public:
+  virtual ~ScalarVisitor() = default;
+
+  /// Visit methods for primitive types
+  virtual void visit(int32_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(int64_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(float value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(double value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(bool value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(const std::string& value) = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Called when visiting a null scalar.
+   */
+  virtual void visitNull() = 0;
+
+  /// Visit methods for complex types
+  virtual void visitStruct(const StructScalar& value) = 0;
+  virtual void visitArray(const ArrayScalar& value) = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents a scalar that holds a primitive value.
+ * @tparam T The type of the primitive value.
+ */
+template <typename T>
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT PrimitiveScalar : public Scalar {
+ public:
+  /**
+   * @brief Constructs a PrimitiveScalar from an optional value.
+   * @param value The optional primitive value.
+   */
+  explicit PrimitiveScalar(std::optional<T> value) : value_(std::move(value)) 
{}
+
+  bool IsNull() const override { return !value_.has_value(); }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the actual value held by the scalar.
+   * @return Reference to the value.
+   * @note Behavior is undefined if the scalar is null.
+   */
+  const T& value() const { return *value_; }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief (Deprecated) Type-specific accessor for raw value.
+   * @tparam U Must match T.
+   * @return Reference to the value if types match.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if U does not match T.
+   */
+  template <typename U>
+  const U& as() const {
+    if constexpr (std::is_same_v<T, U>) return *value_;
+    throw std::bad_cast();
+  }
+
+  std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const override {
+    return std::make_shared<PrimitiveScalar<T>>(value_);
+  }
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visit(*value_);
+    }
+  }
+
+ private:
+  std::optional<T> value_;
+};
+
+// Aliases for common primitive scalar types
+using Int32Scalar = PrimitiveScalar<int32_t>;
+using Int64Scalar = PrimitiveScalar<int64_t>;
+using DoubleScalar = PrimitiveScalar<double>;
+using StringScalar = PrimitiveScalar<std::string>;
+using BoolScalar = PrimitiveScalar<bool>;
+
+/**
+ * @brief Base class for scalars that contain a vector of child Scalars.
+ * @tparam Derived The concrete subclass type (CRTP).
+ */
+template <typename Derived>
+class VectorScalarBase : public Scalar {
+ public:
+  /**
+   * @brief Constructs a VectorScalarBase.
+   * @param values Child scalar values.
+   * @param is_null Whether the entire scalar is null.
+   */
+  explicit VectorScalarBase(std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>> values,
+                            bool is_null = false)
+      : values_(std::move(values)), is_null_(is_null) {}
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the child scalar values.
+   * @return Vector of shared pointers to child Scalars.
+   */
+  const std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>>& value() const { return values_; }
+
+  bool IsNull() const override { return is_null_; }
+
+  std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const override {
+    std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>> cloned;
+    for (const auto& v : values_) {
+      cloned.push_back(v->clone());
+    }
+    return std::make_shared<Derived>(std::move(cloned), is_null_);
+  }
+
+ protected:
+  std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>> values_;
+  bool is_null_;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents a struct-like scalar (tuple of fields).
+ */
+class StructScalar : public VectorScalarBase<StructScalar> {
+ public:
+  using VectorScalarBase::VectorScalarBase;
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visitStruct(*this);
+    }
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents an array-like scalar (list of values).
+ */
+class ArrayScalar : public VectorScalarBase<ArrayScalar> {
+ public:
+  using VectorScalarBase::VectorScalarBase;
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visitArray(*this);
+    }
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Abstract interface for structured field access.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT StructLike {

Review Comment:
   Can't we simply reuse `StructScalar`?



##########
src/iceberg/struct_like.h:
##########
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "iceberg/iceberg_export.h"
+#include "iceberg/result.h"
+#include "iceberg/type.h"
+
+namespace iceberg {
+
+class Scalar;
+class StructScalar;
+class ArrayScalar;
+class ScalarVisitor;
+class StructLike;
+class StructLikeVisitor;
+/**
+ * @brief Base class representing a generic scalar value.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT Scalar {
+ public:
+  virtual ~Scalar() = default;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Checks if the scalar represents a null value.
+   * @return true if the value is null, false otherwise.
+   */
+  virtual bool IsNull() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Casts the scalar to a specific derived type.
+   * @tparam T The target derived Scalar type.
+   * @return Reference to the casted value.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if the cast fails.
+   */
+  template <typename T>
+  const T& as() const {
+    auto ptr = dynamic_cast<const T*>(this);
+    if (!ptr) throw std::bad_cast();
+    return *ptr;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Creates a deep copy of the scalar.
+   * @return A shared pointer to the cloned scalar.
+   */
+  virtual std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Accepts a visitor for dispatching based on scalar type.
+   * @param visitor The visitor to accept.
+   */
+  virtual void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Visitor interface for Scalar, supporting type-dispatched operations.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT ScalarVisitor {
+ public:
+  virtual ~ScalarVisitor() = default;
+
+  /// Visit methods for primitive types
+  virtual void visit(int32_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(int64_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(float value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(double value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(bool value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(const std::string& value) = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Called when visiting a null scalar.
+   */
+  virtual void visitNull() = 0;
+
+  /// Visit methods for complex types
+  virtual void visitStruct(const StructScalar& value) = 0;
+  virtual void visitArray(const ArrayScalar& value) = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents a scalar that holds a primitive value.
+ * @tparam T The type of the primitive value.
+ */
+template <typename T>
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT PrimitiveScalar : public Scalar {
+ public:
+  /**
+   * @brief Constructs a PrimitiveScalar from an optional value.
+   * @param value The optional primitive value.
+   */
+  explicit PrimitiveScalar(std::optional<T> value) : value_(std::move(value)) 
{}
+
+  bool IsNull() const override { return !value_.has_value(); }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the actual value held by the scalar.
+   * @return Reference to the value.
+   * @note Behavior is undefined if the scalar is null.
+   */
+  const T& value() const { return *value_; }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief (Deprecated) Type-specific accessor for raw value.
+   * @tparam U Must match T.
+   * @return Reference to the value if types match.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if U does not match T.
+   */
+  template <typename U>
+  const U& as() const {
+    if constexpr (std::is_same_v<T, U>) return *value_;
+    throw std::bad_cast();
+  }
+
+  std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const override {
+    return std::make_shared<PrimitiveScalar<T>>(value_);
+  }
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visit(*value_);
+    }
+  }
+
+ private:
+  std::optional<T> value_;
+};
+
+// Aliases for common primitive scalar types
+using Int32Scalar = PrimitiveScalar<int32_t>;
+using Int64Scalar = PrimitiveScalar<int64_t>;
+using DoubleScalar = PrimitiveScalar<double>;
+using StringScalar = PrimitiveScalar<std::string>;
+using BoolScalar = PrimitiveScalar<bool>;
+
+/**
+ * @brief Base class for scalars that contain a vector of child Scalars.
+ * @tparam Derived The concrete subclass type (CRTP).
+ */
+template <typename Derived>
+class VectorScalarBase : public Scalar {
+ public:
+  /**
+   * @brief Constructs a VectorScalarBase.
+   * @param values Child scalar values.
+   * @param is_null Whether the entire scalar is null.
+   */
+  explicit VectorScalarBase(std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>> values,
+                            bool is_null = false)
+      : values_(std::move(values)), is_null_(is_null) {}
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the child scalar values.
+   * @return Vector of shared pointers to child Scalars.
+   */
+  const std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>>& value() const { return values_; }
+
+  bool IsNull() const override { return is_null_; }
+
+  std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const override {
+    std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>> cloned;
+    for (const auto& v : values_) {
+      cloned.push_back(v->clone());
+    }
+    return std::make_shared<Derived>(std::move(cloned), is_null_);
+  }
+
+ protected:
+  std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>> values_;
+  bool is_null_;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents a struct-like scalar (tuple of fields).
+ */
+class StructScalar : public VectorScalarBase<StructScalar> {
+ public:
+  using VectorScalarBase::VectorScalarBase;
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visitStruct(*this);
+    }
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents an array-like scalar (list of values).
+ */
+class ArrayScalar : public VectorScalarBase<ArrayScalar> {
+ public:
+  using VectorScalarBase::VectorScalarBase;
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visitArray(*this);
+    }
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Abstract interface for structured field access.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT StructLike {
+ public:
+  virtual ~StructLike() = default;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the type of the structure.
+   * @return Reference to the StructType.
+   */
+  virtual const StructType& struct_type() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the number of fields.
+   * @return Number of fields.
+   */
+  virtual int32_t size() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the value of a field by position.
+   * @param pos The zero-based index of the field.
+   * @return Reference to the scalar value.
+   */
+  virtual const Scalar& get(int32_t pos) const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Sets the value of a field by position.
+   * @param pos The zero-based index of the field.
+   * @param value The scalar to assign.
+   * @return Status indicating success or failure.
+   */
+  virtual Status set(int32_t pos, std::shared_ptr<Scalar> value) = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Visitor interface for traversing StructLike fields.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT StructLikeVisitor {

Review Comment:
   ditto, we can remove this as well.



##########
src/iceberg/struct_like.h:
##########
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "iceberg/iceberg_export.h"
+#include "iceberg/result.h"
+#include "iceberg/type.h"
+
+namespace iceberg {
+
+class Scalar;
+class StructScalar;
+class ArrayScalar;
+class ScalarVisitor;
+class StructLike;
+class StructLikeVisitor;
+/**
+ * @brief Base class representing a generic scalar value.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT Scalar {
+ public:
+  virtual ~Scalar() = default;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Checks if the scalar represents a null value.
+   * @return true if the value is null, false otherwise.
+   */
+  virtual bool IsNull() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Casts the scalar to a specific derived type.
+   * @tparam T The target derived Scalar type.
+   * @return Reference to the casted value.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if the cast fails.
+   */
+  template <typename T>
+  const T& as() const {
+    auto ptr = dynamic_cast<const T*>(this);
+    if (!ptr) throw std::bad_cast();
+    return *ptr;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Creates a deep copy of the scalar.
+   * @return A shared pointer to the cloned scalar.
+   */
+  virtual std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Accepts a visitor for dispatching based on scalar type.
+   * @param visitor The visitor to accept.
+   */
+  virtual void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Visitor interface for Scalar, supporting type-dispatched operations.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT ScalarVisitor {
+ public:
+  virtual ~ScalarVisitor() = default;
+
+  /// Visit methods for primitive types
+  virtual void visit(int32_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(int64_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(float value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(double value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(bool value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(const std::string& value) = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Called when visiting a null scalar.
+   */
+  virtual void visitNull() = 0;
+
+  /// Visit methods for complex types
+  virtual void visitStruct(const StructScalar& value) = 0;
+  virtual void visitArray(const ArrayScalar& value) = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents a scalar that holds a primitive value.
+ * @tparam T The type of the primitive value.
+ */
+template <typename T>
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT PrimitiveScalar : public Scalar {
+ public:
+  /**
+   * @brief Constructs a PrimitiveScalar from an optional value.
+   * @param value The optional primitive value.
+   */
+  explicit PrimitiveScalar(std::optional<T> value) : value_(std::move(value)) 
{}
+
+  bool IsNull() const override { return !value_.has_value(); }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the actual value held by the scalar.
+   * @return Reference to the value.
+   * @note Behavior is undefined if the scalar is null.
+   */
+  const T& value() const { return *value_; }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief (Deprecated) Type-specific accessor for raw value.
+   * @tparam U Must match T.
+   * @return Reference to the value if types match.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if U does not match T.
+   */
+  template <typename U>
+  const U& as() const {
+    if constexpr (std::is_same_v<T, U>) return *value_;
+    throw std::bad_cast();
+  }
+
+  std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const override {
+    return std::make_shared<PrimitiveScalar<T>>(value_);
+  }
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visit(*value_);
+    }
+  }
+
+ private:
+  std::optional<T> value_;
+};
+
+// Aliases for common primitive scalar types
+using Int32Scalar = PrimitiveScalar<int32_t>;
+using Int64Scalar = PrimitiveScalar<int64_t>;
+using DoubleScalar = PrimitiveScalar<double>;
+using StringScalar = PrimitiveScalar<std::string>;
+using BoolScalar = PrimitiveScalar<bool>;
+
+/**
+ * @brief Base class for scalars that contain a vector of child Scalars.
+ * @tparam Derived The concrete subclass type (CRTP).
+ */
+template <typename Derived>
+class VectorScalarBase : public Scalar {
+ public:
+  /**
+   * @brief Constructs a VectorScalarBase.
+   * @param values Child scalar values.
+   * @param is_null Whether the entire scalar is null.
+   */
+  explicit VectorScalarBase(std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>> values,
+                            bool is_null = false)
+      : values_(std::move(values)), is_null_(is_null) {}
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the child scalar values.
+   * @return Vector of shared pointers to child Scalars.
+   */
+  const std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>>& value() const { return values_; }
+
+  bool IsNull() const override { return is_null_; }
+
+  std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const override {
+    std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>> cloned;
+    for (const auto& v : values_) {
+      cloned.push_back(v->clone());
+    }
+    return std::make_shared<Derived>(std::move(cloned), is_null_);
+  }
+
+ protected:
+  std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Scalar>> values_;
+  bool is_null_;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents a struct-like scalar (tuple of fields).
+ */
+class StructScalar : public VectorScalarBase<StructScalar> {
+ public:
+  using VectorScalarBase::VectorScalarBase;
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visitStruct(*this);
+    }
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents an array-like scalar (list of values).
+ */
+class ArrayScalar : public VectorScalarBase<ArrayScalar> {

Review Comment:
   How do we define `MapScalar`? Should it be `array<struct<key,value>>`?



##########
src/iceberg/struct_like.h:
##########
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "iceberg/iceberg_export.h"
+#include "iceberg/result.h"
+#include "iceberg/type.h"
+
+namespace iceberg {
+
+class Scalar;
+class StructScalar;
+class ArrayScalar;
+class ScalarVisitor;
+class StructLike;
+class StructLikeVisitor;
+/**
+ * @brief Base class representing a generic scalar value.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT Scalar {

Review Comment:
   Should we make `std::shared_ptr<Type>` as a member variable to `Scalar`?



##########
src/iceberg/struct_like.h:
##########
@@ -0,0 +1,278 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
+ * or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
+ * distributed with this work for additional information
+ * regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
+ * to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
+ * "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
+ * with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "iceberg/iceberg_export.h"
+#include "iceberg/result.h"
+#include "iceberg/type.h"
+
+namespace iceberg {
+
+class Scalar;
+class StructScalar;
+class ArrayScalar;
+class ScalarVisitor;
+class StructLike;
+class StructLikeVisitor;
+/**
+ * @brief Base class representing a generic scalar value.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT Scalar {
+ public:
+  virtual ~Scalar() = default;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Checks if the scalar represents a null value.
+   * @return true if the value is null, false otherwise.
+   */
+  virtual bool IsNull() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Casts the scalar to a specific derived type.
+   * @tparam T The target derived Scalar type.
+   * @return Reference to the casted value.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if the cast fails.
+   */
+  template <typename T>
+  const T& as() const {
+    auto ptr = dynamic_cast<const T*>(this);
+    if (!ptr) throw std::bad_cast();
+    return *ptr;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Creates a deep copy of the scalar.
+   * @return A shared pointer to the cloned scalar.
+   */
+  virtual std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Accepts a visitor for dispatching based on scalar type.
+   * @param visitor The visitor to accept.
+   */
+  virtual void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Visitor interface for Scalar, supporting type-dispatched operations.
+ */
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT ScalarVisitor {
+ public:
+  virtual ~ScalarVisitor() = default;
+
+  /// Visit methods for primitive types
+  virtual void visit(int32_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(int64_t value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(float value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(double value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(bool value) = 0;
+  virtual void visit(const std::string& value) = 0;
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Called when visiting a null scalar.
+   */
+  virtual void visitNull() = 0;
+
+  /// Visit methods for complex types
+  virtual void visitStruct(const StructScalar& value) = 0;
+  virtual void visitArray(const ArrayScalar& value) = 0;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Represents a scalar that holds a primitive value.
+ * @tparam T The type of the primitive value.
+ */
+template <typename T>
+class ICEBERG_EXPORT PrimitiveScalar : public Scalar {
+ public:
+  /**
+   * @brief Constructs a PrimitiveScalar from an optional value.
+   * @param value The optional primitive value.
+   */
+  explicit PrimitiveScalar(std::optional<T> value) : value_(std::move(value)) 
{}
+
+  bool IsNull() const override { return !value_.has_value(); }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief Gets the actual value held by the scalar.
+   * @return Reference to the value.
+   * @note Behavior is undefined if the scalar is null.
+   */
+  const T& value() const { return *value_; }
+
+  /**
+   * @brief (Deprecated) Type-specific accessor for raw value.
+   * @tparam U Must match T.
+   * @return Reference to the value if types match.
+   * @throws std::bad_cast if U does not match T.
+   */
+  template <typename U>
+  const U& as() const {
+    if constexpr (std::is_same_v<T, U>) return *value_;
+    throw std::bad_cast();
+  }
+
+  std::shared_ptr<Scalar> clone() const override {
+    return std::make_shared<PrimitiveScalar<T>>(value_);
+  }
+
+  void accept(ScalarVisitor& visitor) const override {
+    if (IsNull()) {
+      visitor.visitNull();
+    } else {
+      visitor.visit(*value_);
+    }
+  }
+
+ private:
+  std::optional<T> value_;
+};
+
+// Aliases for common primitive scalar types

Review Comment:
   We are supposed to specialize each type like `DecimalType`, `BinaryType`, 
etc.? 



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