static_cast vs GetBuffer(0) in casting CString to an LPCWSTR pointer

Question

There are two ways to convert a CString to an LPCWSTR pointer. Usually, I use the static_cast method. But recently I have realized GetBuffer() can be used with the argument 0 . So I think GetBuffer() is good for more clean code, because static_cast has an ugly syntax though it looks more C++ .

What are the pros and cons of each way, and what should I use in C++?

#include <atlstr.h>  

int main() {
    CString aCString = CString(_T("A string")); 
    _tprintf(_T("%s"), aCString.GetBuffer(0)); //methond -1
    _tprintf(_T("%s"), static_cast<LPCWSTR>(aCString)); //methond -2
}

Answer 1

There is no essential difference between the 2 forms. When running, the GetBuffer() method should return some internal buffer, while the static_cast should invoke the convert operator like below.

operator char* () {return _internalBuffer;}

it's personal preference which one you like to use.