vector class guidance

[mdonati]

Hi you all.
I'm learning to manage vector class, included on std, through a series of examples I found on the internet.
All of them declares vector<MyClass*> vector; while I was actually expecting vector<MyClass*> *vector;. Does vector declares a pointer within its type?.
What about the function and the statement:

vector<MyClass*> AnotherClass::GetVector()
{
    return vector;
}

...

AnotherClass* anotherClass = new AnotherClass;
vector<MyClass*> aVector = anotherClass->GetVector();

Does the last statement copy the entire vector to aVector variable?.
I think I'm missing something about this class.
I hope you guys help me clarify this.
Thanks in advance.

[helios]

Does the last statement copy the entire vector to aVector variable?

Yes.

[mdonati]

Is there any explanation why all these beginners examples teach us to do it that way? They are supposed to teach us well from the beginning!, aren't they?

[helios]

Uh... Because whoever wrote them sucks?
Returning a pointer/reference allows the called to assign to a pointer/reference or to make the copy if they want, so unless a newly created vector is being returned, it doesn't make sense deny the called this freedom.