def _to_seq(sc, cols, converter=None):
    """
    Convert a list of Column (or names) into a JVM Seq of Column.

    An optional `converter` could be used to convert items in `cols`
    into JVM Column objects.
    """
    if converter:
        cols = [converter(c) for c in cols]
    return sc._jvm.PythonUtils.toSeq(cols)