c++ - Returning a vector of unique_ptr by reference -

here code

class carl{     public:     std::vector<std::unique_ptr<int>> asd;     carl(){         asd.push_back(std::unique_ptr<int>(new int(4)));         asd.push_back(std::unique_ptr<int>(new int(2)));     }      std::vector<std::unique_ptr<int>> & getvec(){         return asd;     } };    int main(int argc, char** argv) {     carl v;      std::vector<std::unique_ptr<int>> * oi = &(v.getvec());      //how print first element?     return 0; } 

my goal access unique pointer w/o giving ownership.

my question that, if return reference , catch reference's address using vector pointer, work?

i know receiving reference work better, trying find out if it's possible receive pointer.

starting with:

std::vector<std::unique_ptr<int>> * oi 

1) dereference pointer:

*oi; 

2) access first element of vector:

(*oi)[0]; 

3) access int unique_ptr points to:

*((*oi)[0]); 

the above should work, not think solution. there wrong design when such solution seems necessary.