If you use Web Forms then this might be helpful.
In a Repeater (and other data binding container controls) instead of something like this:
<%# ((Sitecore.Data.Items.Item)Container.DataItem)["Field"] %>
You can now do this:
<%# Item["Field"] %>
If you include this Repeater attribute:
ItemType="Sitecore.Data.Items.Item"
We can do this with Sitecore 7 J
For more information http://stackoverflow.com/questions/937244/strong-typed-container-in-webforms