Strong Types. Cool. No "autocasting" problems anymore.
 Code:
Dim $RC
$RC = SetOption("StrongType", "On")
Dim $strNumber As String = "500"
Dim $intNumber As Integer = 500
; $strNumber + $intNumber ?	; This line would give an error
Cast($strNumber, "Integer") + $intNumber ?

But anyway, I agree, declare and assign at once would be nice
 Code:
Dim $strNumber = "500"
Dim $intNumber = 500