As Delphi generics are not supported for free functions, wrap them in a record container.
Posted by jpluimers on 2018/01/31
Of the things not possible with generics in Delphi, I already wrote about Impossible: Property using Generics in Delphi.
Now it’s time to write about simulating a free function with generics as this is impossible:
function CreateManaged<T>(const value: T): IManaged<T>;
Usually I create a static record method for these, as records do not have VMT overhead, less RTTI overhead and I’ve been used to see records as helpers for other types long before helpers initially were introduced in Delphi 8 to extend classes..
Spring4D has an excellent example of such a record workaround in the Managed.New<T> commit:
type
Managed = record
public
class function New<T>(const value: T): IManaged<T>; static;
end;
...
class function Managed.New<T>(const value: T): IManaged<T>;
begin
Result := TManaged<T>.Create(value);
end;
It basically is a factory for classes implementing the IManaged interface.
In the mean time, Managed has been renamed to Shared but the above code shows my point.
–jeroen
Reference: [WayBack] Class Helpers documented in Delphi 2007, introduced in Delphi 8
The Wiert Corner - irregular stream of stuff 
rvelthuis said
FWIW, class static methods do not have an overhead either. OK, the class has, but not the static methods. No
Selfis passed.Rudy Velthuis said
It is what I do too, but I think I already remarked that that would be one of my wishes for new Delphi features: standalone generic functions.
sglienke said
FWIW: https://quality.embarcadero.com/browse/RSP-13724
jpluimers said
Voted.
rvelthuis said
Voted!