Access C++ class member object, but do not allow to override it -

i'm learning c++ , have small problem. have class contains vector<int>. outside vector<int> should accessable, should possible add/remove/get elements.

it should not possible override object new instance. here such example class (it's minimalized):

class myclass {     public:         vector<int>& vec() { return _vec; }     private:         vector<int> _vec; }; 

e.g. following code works:

myclass x; x.vec().push_back(0); x.vec().push_back(7); x.vec().push_back(9); cout << c.vec().size() << endl; 

but unfortunately following code works:

myclass x; x.vec() = vector<int>(); 

i disallow this, did find solution return pointer of type vector<int> *. learned pointers 'evil' , shouldn't use them directly, have use smart pointers. think problem smart pointer useless, don't know how solve simple problem:-/

or simple pointer cleanest solution?

best regards

kevin

-edit-

in general make can used follwing c# class:

public class myclass {     public list<int> list { get; private set; }      public myclass()     {         list = new list<int>();     } } 

it's example , thought how make in c++. maybe cases have more complex classes vector<int>/list<int> include other classes.

but maybe possible defining own methods (=interface) internal object.

it seems wrong me acceptable solution provide forwarding functions potentially methods in vector class. propose alternative answer.

create small template class publically derived vector hides operator= method making private.

template<class t> class immutablevector : public vector<t> {   private:     immutablevector &operator=(vector<t>); }; 

then in myclass, wherever have used vector, use immutablevector instead.

class myclass {   public:     immutablevector<int>& vec() { return _vec; }   private:     immutablevector<int> _vec; }; 

now can safely access vector functionality via vec method, won't able assign new vector instance.