Returning reference of vector

Example code:

Code:

---

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>
using namespace std;

class A{
private:
    vector<int> v;
public:
    A() { for(size_t i = 0 ; i < 4 ; ++i) v.push_back(i); }
    vector<int>& getV() {return v;}
};

int main()
{
    A a;
    vector<int> foo = a.getV();
   
    return 0;
}

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I read somewhere, that we can imagine the reference as a pointer to the vector.
So, my question is:
Let's assume that instance of class A, named a, was created with new. We call a.getV() to foo and then we call the destructor of a.
foo is safe? Is the copy constructor of std::vector called?

your main() function is making a copy of the vector inside the class, so in this case it would be perfectly safe. if you're storing a reference:

Code:

---

vector<int>& foo = a.getV();

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then you need to remember that it becomes invalid the instant you delete the object.