How to iterate through a vector

[hinesro]

I have a vector of a class type. This class has a protected member variable called characterType, which is a string, and a public member function that returns this value. How can I iterate through this vector once it has some contents, and print out the names of its members? Here's what I have currently:

for(int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
    {
    cout << "1. Goblin\n"
         << "2. Barbarian\n"
         << "3. Reptile man\n"
         << "4. Blue man\n\n";
    cin >> characterSelection;

    switch(characterSelection)	{
        case '1':
            v1.push_back(new Goblin);
            break;
        case '2':
            v1.push_back(new Barbarian);
            break;
        case '3':
            v1.push_back(new Reptile);
            break;
        case '4':
            v1.push_back(new BlueMan);
            break;
        default:
            v1.push_back(new Goblin);
            cout << "\n\nInvalid entry--combatant defaulted to Goblin.\n\n";
            continuePlay();
            break;
    }

    cout << "Container contents: ";

    vector<Character*>::iterator p1;
    for(p1 = v1.begin(); p1 != v1.end(); p1++)
        cout << v1->characterType << endl;
}

But my compiler does not like what I did on line 33: "Base operand of '->' has non-pointer type 'std::vector<Character*>". I've tried just using the dot operator, which also doesn't compile. What is the best way to accomplish want I'm trying to do?

[jvqpDjzh]

As I understood an iterator is similar to a pointer, so to access to each class pointer you have first to dereference the pointer and then, since you have actually pointers in your vector, you have to use the -> operator to access to the class members:
(*p1)->characterType;
But I am not sure, 'cause I don't know much things about iterators

[jvqpDjzh]

Well, for me this is working! (I am not completely sure about the efficiency and correctness of this program. Please, if you are an expert confirm or correct.)

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

class Character
{
public:
    std::string type_c = "";//please, don't make your normal member variables public
//I have just made it, to make it fast
    Character(std::string type) : type_c (type) { }
    virtual ~Character(){}
};

class Barbarian : public Character
{
    public:
    Barbarian(std::string type) : Character(type){ }//calling the mother constructor
};

class GoodPerson : public Character
{
    public:
    GoodPerson(std::string type) : Character(type){ }//calling the mother constructor
};

int main()
{
    vector <Character*> cv;

    int i = 1;

    switch(i)
    {
    case 1:
        cv.push_back(new Barbarian("Barbarian"));
        break;
    case 2:
        cv.push_back(new GoodPerson("Good"));
        break;
    default:
        break;
    }

    for(vector<Character*>::iterator it = cv.begin(); it != cv.end(); ++it)
        std::cout << (*it)->type_c;
    for(vector<Character*>::iterator it = cv.begin(); it != cv.end(); ++it)
        delete (*it);//deleting objects in the vector
//actually, I don't know if we have to use delete or just pop_back the elements

    return 0;
}

[hinesro]

Wow, thank you for putting so much work into answering this! I would have included more of my code to give a functioning example if I had known you'd go to such lengths. You were absolutely right, I had to dereference the pointer with parentheses. Thanks for making this forum so great :)