[C++][Python] Implement `search_sorted` kernel for all primitive types and run-end encoded arrays

[Alex-PLACET]

Describe the enhancement requested

Implement a kernel that replicates the semantics of NumPy’s searchsorted function (without the sorter argument).
The kernel should support all primitive types as well as run-end encoded arrays.

Example API

>>> sorted_array = pa.array()
>>> to_search = pa.array()

>>> pc.search_sorted(sorted_array, to_search, side='left')
<pyarrow.lib.UInt64Array>
[
 0,
 1,
 3,
 5
]

>>> pc.search_sorted(sorted_array, to_search, side='right')
<pyarrow.lib.UInt64Array>
[
 0,
 3,
 3,
 5
]

Explanation

• 50 < all → index 0
• 200 equals first occurrence → index 1 (side='left')
• 200 for side='right' → index 3
• 250 between 200 and 300 → index 3
• 400 > all values → index 5

Null Handling

Nulls in the first (sorted) array

If nulls are clustered first:

sorted_array = pa.array([null, 200, 300, 300])
to_search = pa.array()

Expected:

• side='left' → [1, 1, 2, 4]
• side='right' → [1, 2, 2, 4]

If nulls are clustered last:

sorted_array = pa.array([200, 300, 300, null, null])

Expected:

• side='left' → [0, 0, 1, 3]
• side='right' → [0, 1, 1, 3]

Nulls in the second (to_search) array

Two options:

1. Emit nulls for null search keys.
2. Match nulls within the null portion of the sorted array.

Example for (2):

>>> sorted_array = pa.array([null, null, 200]) # nulls first
>>> to_search = pa.array([null, 100, 300])
>>> pc.search_sorted(sorted_array, to_search, side='left')
<pyarrow.lib.UInt64Array object at 0x7dc6c1bcefe0>
[
 0,
 2,
 3
]
>>> pc.search_sorted(sorted_array, to_search, side='right')
<pyarrow.lib.UInt64Array object at 0x7dc6c1bcefe0>
[
 1,
 2,
 3
]
>>> sorted_array = pa.array([200, null, null]) # nulls last
>>> pc.search_sorted(sorted_array, to_search, side='left')
<pyarrow.lib.UInt64Array object at 0x7dc6c1bcefe0>
[
 1,
 0,
 1
]
>>> pc.search_sorted(sorted_array, to_search, side='left')
<pyarrow.lib.UInt64Array object at 0x7dc6c1bcefe0>
[
 3,
 0,
 1
]

Requirements

• Implement for all primitive types (int*, float*, boolean, etc.)
• Support run-end encoded arrays
• Handle both side='left' and side='right'
• Define consistent behavior for null placement
• Return a UInt64Array of insertion indices

References

• NumPy searchsorted documentation

Component(s)

Python, C++