fieldsFrom

Fieldsfrom is a software concept used to describe the process of constructing a new data object by selecting and optionally transforming fields from an existing source object or record. The term emphasizes field-level control during data transfer, serialization, or schema mapping, allowing developers to limit, rename, or reshape the data that is carried forward.

Common use cases include pre-filling forms with existing data, exporting or migrating a subset of a record, converting between different data schemas, and creating safe copies that avoid mutating the original object. Fieldsfrom helps ensure that only the intended fields are exposed to downstream systems, reducing unnecessary data transmission and potential privacy concerns.

A typical pattern is to implement a fieldsFrom function or helper that takes a source and a specification of fields to include. For example, in JavaScript a simple version might return a new object containing only the specified keys from the source. In Python, a similar approach can be achieved with a dictionary comprehension. The result is a lightweight projection of the source, often used in API clients, form builders, and data pipelines.

Variations of fieldsfrom include renaming fields during the copy, handling nested structures, or applying simple transformations to values. It can be implemented as a shallow copy or extended to perform deeper cloning or type coercion. Some libraries expose equivalent functionality under names such as pick, projection, or field mapping, depending on the language and ecosystem.

Related concepts include data projection, schema mapping, and field-level deserialization. See also tools and patterns for object shaping, data migration, and API response handling.