Delete and vector pointer

Originally Posted by Elysia

If it's too slow when looking at a profiler, then I will consider changing it.

Funny how you apply this argument here. I would suggest the exact same thing but in reverse. Return by value, and profile it to make sure it's not being "stupid."

It took me a long, long time to realize that pointers suck. Maybe there is hope for you.

Pointers suck when not wrapped in smart pointers
That's my experience. Most of the "access violation" I get is with complex, non-C++ish code, such as managing buffers and pointers by hand (which I do avoid).
Mostly it's old code, written many years ago or so. We improve all the time!

No, I do believe it can do it, but I don't know how or when.

This may be applicable to you, though it pertains to the 2005 version of Visual C++:
Named Return Value Optimization in Visual C++ 2005

Originally Posted by Elysia

Pointers suck when not wrapped in smart pointers

They suck even then. Just a tiny bit less. Value semantics rule.