STL vector containing vector causing segfault - c++

Question

The following code causes a segfault when I try to issue my push_back call. What am I doing wrong?
#include <iostream>
#include <vector>
#include <string>
using namespace std;
int main() {
std::string * foo = new std::string("hello world");
cout << *foo << endl;
std::vector<std::vector<std::string *> > my_vecs;
my_vecs[0].push_back(foo); // segfaults
cout << "trying to print my_vecs size of " << my_vecs.size() << " but we never reach that point due to segfault " << endl;
return 0;
}
I'm pretty sure I'm violating one of the contracts for using vector, as the problem is surely not with the STL implementation.

Answer 1

When you create my_vecs it has 0 elements, hence my_vecs[0] does not exists and gives segfault. You have to first reserve at least one element of my_vecs and then you can insert in the vector my_vecs[0] your pointer:
std::vector<std::vector<std::string *> > my_vecs(1);
my_vecs[0].push_back(&foo);

Answer 2

The outer vector must first be explicitly grown, before one can push to its elements.
This may be a little surprising since STL map's automatically insert their keys. But, it's certainly the way it is.
#include <iostream>
#include <vector>
#include <string>
using namespace std;
int main() {
const int DESIRED_VECTOR_SIZE = 1;
std::string * foo = new std::string("hello world");
cout << *foo << endl;
std::vector<std::vector<std::string *> > my_vecs;
for (int i = 0; i < DESIRED_VECTOR_SIZE; ++i) {
std::vector<std::string *> tmp;
my_vecs.push_back(tmp); // will invoke copy constructor, which seems unfortunate but meh
}
my_vecs[0].push_back(foo); // segfaults
cout << "now able to print my_vecs size of " << my_vecs.size() << endl;
return 0;
}