[goto11]

It is still type inference though. If 2 is an int, the compiler perform type inference to figure out that the expression 2 + 2 is also an int. It is just that traditional languages only use type inference for expressions, not declarations.

[dllthomas]

It's type propagation. Which can be seen as a form of inference or not, depending just where you draw the line.

[gpderetta]

So is auto, decltype and templates. In C++ we properly call it type deduction to distinguish it from actual H-M style inference which C++ lacks. The details of how it is called doesn't detract from parent's argument.

[dllthomas]

Yes. I hadn't meant my comment as argument on either side, just added context.