Why can I use auto on a private type?

Question

I was somehow surprised that the following code compiles and runs (vc2012 & gcc4.7.2)

class Foo {
    struct Bar { int i; };
public:
    Bar Baz() { retu         


        

Answer 1

This question has already been answered very well by both chill and R. Martinho Fernandes.

I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to answer a question with a Harry Potter analogy:

class Wizard
{
private:
    class LordVoldemort
    {
        void avada_kedavra()
        {
            // scary stuff
        }
    };
public:
    using HeWhoMustNotBeNamed = LordVoldemort;

    friend class Harry;
};

class Harry : Wizard
{
public:
    Wizard::LordVoldemort;
};

int main()
{
    Wizard::HeWhoMustNotBeNamed tom; // OK
    // Wizard::LordVoldemort not_allowed; // Not OK
    Harry::LordVoldemort im_not_scared; // OK
    return 0;
}

https://ideone.com/I5q7gw

Thanks to Quentin for reminding me of the Harry loophole.