# All of the handle* functions are defined elsewhere in the code.
# Calls to dispatcher are made like `TYPE_HANDLERS[type(dat)](name, dat)`
TYPE_HANDLERS = {dict: handleDict, list: handleList, str: handleStr, int: handleInt}

Private Delegate Function handleDelegate(ByVal name As String, ByVal dat As Object) As String
Function ParseDataIntoXML(ByVal name As String, ByVal dat As Object) As String
    Dim myDelegate As handleDelegate
    Select Case dat.GetType
        Case GetType(Dictionary(Of Object, Object))
            myDelegate = AddressOf handleDict
        Case GetType(ArrayList)
            myDelegate = AddressOf handleList
        Case GetType(String)
            myDelegate = AddressOf handleStr
        Case GetType(Integer)
            myDelegate = AddressOf handleInt
    End Select

    Return myDelegate(name, dat)
End Function