Delphi local functions

Question

I have a library of functions contained in a delphi unit which we shall call UtilitiesU. Some of these functions are just helper functions that are only used inside UtilitiesU. I would like to limit the scope of these functions to UtilitiesU. These are the methods that I know of for doing this:

1. Remove the declaration from the interface and move the function before its dependents in the implementation - messy, counter-intuitive order of function definitions, not always possible if there is e.g. mutual dependency
2. Put all the functions into a static class (ala Java) and make them public or private as appropriate - too much boilerplate, convoluted
3. Declare the helper functions local to the functions in which they are used - same problems as point 1

Ideally, I would like to do it the C/C++ way - that is, declare them as static in the implementation section. Is this possible? Is there a better way?

Answer 1

You can still declare your functions like this:

implementation

procedure ShowMe;forward;

procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
begin
  ShowMe;
end;

procedure showMe;
begin
  ShowMessage('Hello');
end;

So you can put all your function right after the implementation in the order you want. Declare them forward, and define them further down anywhere you want.

Personnally, I kindda prefer declaring those method as class methods. (Lets call it, "name space friendly"). But end result is pretty much the same.