TStringList vs. TList

Question

what is the difference in using a standard

type 
  sl: TStringList 

compared to using a generic TList

type 
  sl: TList

        

Answer 1

From memory point of view TStringList memory usage is increased with the size of TObject pointer added to each item. TList memory usage is increased with the size of pointer added to each item. If is needed just an array of strings without searching, replacing, sorting or associative operations, a dynamic array (array of string) should be just enough. This lacks of a good memory management of TStringList or TList, but in theory should use less memory.