>As for achieving `generic' code through static generation using an external tool, I had had considerable success with it in some earlier projects

Exactly. I am reminded of Rogue Wave's[1] generics before STL became part of C++. I remember achieving that effect using a paradigm of macros and code generation provided by Rogue Wave libraries. It was during mid 1990s.

[1] roguewave.com

Edit: Added reference to Rogue Wave