ambiguous operator problem

Right now (for testing purposes), I have two functions in my class besides the default constructor:
#1: char operator [](unsigned long iIndex) const;
#2: operator const char *() const;

Later on, I attempt to use the first function in a call. When I try to compile the code (posted below), the MS VC++ 6 compiler stops on the "char c=sTest[0];" line with this single error message: "error C2666: '[]' : 2 overloads have similar conversions".

Since #1 takes 1 argument, and #2 doesn't take any arguments, I don't see how the compiler could see this as ambiguous. Removing #2 fixes the error, but I would really like to have both available in my class. Does anyone have any suggestions? I could swear I've compiled code like this on NON-MS compilers :(

Here's the class + the code that calls it:

Code:

class DString {
   public:
      DString();
      char operator [](unsigned long iIndex) const;
      operator const char *() const; // When line removed, error goes away
   protected:
      char szString[2];
};
DString::DString() 
   { szString[0]='X'; szString[1]='\0'; }
char DString::operator [](unsigned long iIndex) const 
   {  return szString[iIndex]; }
DString::operator const char *() const 
   {  return szString; }
void main(int argc, char* argv[])
   {  DString sTest;
      char c=sTest[0];  // ERROR occurs here
      cout << "First char:" << c << endl;    
      cout << "String is:" << sTest << endl; 
   }

Compiles just fine (after changing void main to int!) with DJGPP...

So, does this mean the the MS compiler interprets the ANSI C++ standard such that nobody can overload both the (operator []) and (operator char *) functions in the same class?!!

That is ludicrous.

I think Stoned_Coder ran into this problem awhile ago. I had a somewhat similiar problem (made a 3d vector class, and wanted automatic conversion to float* so it would get along easier with OpenGL, but then I couldn't have an overloaded output operator). Eventually, I scrapped the float* automatic conversion. Basically, I'd recommend you do the same thing.. this way you won't have any problems with unintended conversions, and you still get the subscript operator.