How do I define implicit conversion operators for mutually dependent records?

Question

I am using the operator overloading for records in Delphi 2006. (Please don't answer this question by telling me not to.)

I have two record types with the implicit operator overloaded. They are both only in the implementation of the module, not exposed through the interface.

My problem is, now that they are mutually dependent, I don't know how to forward declare the second type to the compiler. I know how to do this with functions, procedures, and classes, but not with records.

Here is a simplified example of what I am trying to do:

implementation

type
  TMyRec1 = record
    Field1 : Integer;
    class operator Implicit(a: TMyRec2): TMyRec1;  // <---- Undeclared Identifier here.
  end;

  TMyRec2 = record
    Field2: Integer;
    class operator Implicit(a: TMyRec1): TMyRec2;
  end;

class operator TMyRec1.Implicit(a:TMyRec2): TMyRec1;
begin
  Result.Field1 := a.Field2;
end;

class operator TMyRec2.Implicit(a:TMyRec2): TMyRec2;
begin
  Result.Field2 := a.Field1;
end;

Answer 1

You can't have forward declarations for record types. Define both Implicit operators in the second type:

type
  TMyRec1 = record
    Field1 : Integer;
  end;

  TMyRec2 = record
    Field2: Integer;
    class operator Implicit(a: TMyRec2): TMyRec1;
    class operator Implicit(a: TMyRec1): TMyRec2;
  end;

Quoting from the help:

Implicit conversions should be provided only where absolutely necessary, and reflexivity should be avoided. It is best to let type B implicitly convert itself to type A, and let type A have no knowledge of type B (or vice versa).

Answer 2

You might be able to do this with record helpers.

Below is what I recently did to work around the impossibility of having a forward record record declaration.

It uses the record helper construct, which - like implicit type casts - have drawbacks too.
The most important one being that only the nearest record helper for a particular record type will apply.

type
  TIpv4Address = record
  strict private
    FAddress: TIpv4Quad;
    FMask: TIpv4Quad;
  private
    class function CreateInternal(const IP_ADDR_STRING: _IP_ADDR_STRING): TIpv4Address; static;
  public
    class function Create(const IP_ADDR_STRING: _IP_ADDR_STRING): TIpv4Address; static;
    class function Count(const IP_ADDR_STRING: _IP_ADDR_STRING): Integer; static;
    property Address: TIpv4Quad read FAddress;
    property Mask: TIpv4Quad read FMask;
  end;

  TIpv4AddressList = array of TIpv4Address;

  TIpv4AddressHelper = record helper for TIpv4Address
    class function CreateList(const IP_ADDR_STRING: _IP_ADDR_STRING): TIpv4AddressList; static;
  end;

You use it like this:

function TAdapterInfo.GetIpAddressList: TIpv4AddressList;
begin
  Result := TIpv4Address.CreateList(AdapterInfos.IP_ADAPTER_INFO[Index].IpAddressList);
end;

--jeroen