Convert byte array to generic value type?

Question

I have a Stream where I\'d like to read data from (as value type segments) and move the position according to the size of the given type (declared as generics).

Answer 1

return (TValue)buffer; // here's where I'm stuck

Yes, you have just shifted the problem. From not having a Stream.Read() to not having a Convert(byte[]) in the std library.
And you would have to call it like Read() anyway so there isn't a direct advantage over BinaryReader.ReadInt32()

Now when you want to use it from another generic class/method, the Read() syntax is useful but for the implementation you might as well map it to BinaryReader calls. I'm afraid that will require boxing:

obcject result = null;
if (typeof(TValue) == typeof(int))
  result = reader.ReadInt32();
else if (typeof(TValue) == typeof(double))
  result = reader.ReadDouble();
else ...

return (TValue) result;