Is creating an explicit or implicit operator for a SecureString to string conversion possible?

Question

I have performed some research on a variety of conversion methods, and have arrived on the usage of explicit or implicit operators.

Noting that System.Security.SecureString is a sealed class (it can not be inherited from), is it possible to write an explicit or implicit operator that is able to perform conversion between a System.Security.SecureString and a System.String (utilizing the methodology described here).

For instance, I do know you must write the operator in a (partial) class of the object being converted. Therefore, I figured the best way to do this was to inherit the class, and write the necessary operators.

Is it possible to a) perform a conversion using an explicit or implicit operator for a System.Security.SecureString to a System.String, b) perform a conversion of a class object who's class is sealed?

If not, is there another method outside of utilizing a class method, that will perform the conversion?

Please provide a pragmatic answer assuming I am a consumer of Microsoft's products.

Answer 1

Noting that System.Security.SecureString is a sealed class, is it possible to write an explicit or implicit operator that is able to perform conversion between a System.Security.SecureString and a System.String?

Yes, if you are a member of the Base Class Library team you can do so. Of course, doing so is a bad idea.

If you are not a member of the BCL team then no. You need to be able to change the source code of one of the two classes.