SNOW-1897976: Consider adding a new DataFrame method to allow applying transformations in the fluent-style

[padhia]

What is the current behavior?

Currently, to apply transformations to a dataframe, one needs to create a named variable to call a transformation function.

E.g. consider transformation functions such as

def dedup(df: DataFrame) -> DataFrame:
    ...

def add_audit_cols(df: DataFrame) -> DataFrame:
    ...

my_df: DataFrame = ...

t1 = dedeup(my_df)
transformed_df = add_audit_cols(t1)

What is the desired behavior?

Defined a new method that allows fluent style coding

class DataFrame:
   # This is a proposed method to allow fluent-style API
    def pipe(self, f: Callable[[DataFrame], DataFrame]) -> DataFrame:
        return f(self)

# revised code

transformed_df = my_df.pipe(dedup).pipe(add_audit_cols) 

How would this improve snowflake-snowpark-python?

Fluent-style code feels more ergonomic and matches the style of most built-in DataFrame methods

References, Other Background