[IronPython] Operator overloading, and implicit conversion from Double to Single in operators

[Korbinian Abenthum]

Hi

I basically have the same problem as in http://www.codeplex.com/IronPython/WorkItem/View.aspx?WorkItemId=939

A struct like:
  public struct Test
  {
    public float a;
    public Test(float a)
    {
      this.a = a;
    }
    public static Test operator *(float lscalar, Test test)
    {
      return new Test(lscalar * test.a);
    }
    public static Test mul(float lscalar, Test test)
    {
      return new Test(lscalar* test.a);
    }
    public override string ToString()
    {
      return "Test("+a+")";
    }
  }

If I execute in IronPython:
>>> 6 * Test(1.7)
<Test object at 0x000000000000002F [Test(10.2)]>

>>> Test.mul(6.5, Test(1.7))
<Test object at 0x0000000000000030 [Test(11.05)]>

>>> 6.5 * Test(1.7)
unsupported operand type(s) for *: 'float' and 'Test'
   at _stub_$695##312(Closure , CallSite , CodeContext , Double , Object )
   at _stub_MatchCaller(Object , CallSite , Object[] )
   at Microsoft.Scripting.Actions.CallSite`1.UpdateAndExecute(Object[] args)
   at Microsoft.Scripting.Actions.UpdateDelegates.Update3[T,T0,T1,T2,TRet](CallSite site, T0 arg0, T1 arg1, T2 arg2)
   at Initialize$694##311(Closure , CodeContext )
   at Microsoft.Scripting.ScriptCode.Run(CodeContext context)
   at Microsoft.Scripting.ScriptCode.Run(Scope scope)
   at Microsoft.Scripting.SourceUnit.Execute(Scope scope, ErrorSink errorSink)
   at Microsoft.Scripting.Hosting.ScriptSource.Execute(ScriptScope scope) [...]
TypeError: unsupported operand type(s) for *: 'float' and 'Test'


The comment in the issue quoted above says that the exception is by design,
since the operator is only defined for a float. And indeed,

>>> System.Single(6.5) * Test(1.7)
<Test object at 0x0000000000000031 [Test(11.05)]>

works just fine.
What I don't understand is why there should be a difference in implicit
conversion of python numbers depending on if it's used in a constructor,
a function or an operator. Is there a reason for that?

Cheers,
 Korbinian