setter and getter /classes - c++

Question

I have a class Project and each Project can have different tasks.
Project.h:
#pragma once
#include "Task.h"
#include <vector>
using namespace std;
class Project
{
private:
vector<Task> Tasks;
public:
Project::Project(int inleesgetal);//constructor
vector<Task> GetTasks();
};
Project.cpp:
#include "Project.h"
#include <string>
#include <vector>
Project::Project(int inleesgetal)
{
//constructor
Tasks.resize(Numbertasks);
}
vector<Task> Project::GetTasks()
{
return Tasks;
}
Task.h:
#pragma once
#include <vector>
using namespace std;
class Task
{
private:
//Info:
int StartTime_Solo;
public:
Task(); //constructor
void SetStartTime_Solo(int st_s);
int GetStartTime_Solo();
};
Task.cpp:
#include "Task.h"
#include <string>
#include <vector>
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
Task::Task()
{
//constructor
StartTime_Solo = 0;
}
int Task::GetStartTime_Solo()
{
return StartTime_Solo;
}
void Task::SetStartTime_Solo(int st_s)
{
StartTime_Solo = st_s;
}
main:
#include <iostream>
#include <vector>
#include "Task.h"
#include "Project.h"
using namespace std;
int main()
{
Project Project1(6);
Project1.GetTasks()[2].SetStartTime_Solo(55);
cout << "test:" << Project1.GetTasks()[2].GetStartTime_Solo();
return 0;
}
Now when I try to set the 3rd task of Project1 to a starttime of 55 and then print the start time out it still gives me 0 as a result.
Why is this? And how can I change my code so it actually sets the starttime to 55?

Answer 1

vector<Task> GetTasks();
should be
const vector<Task>& GetTasks() const;
vector<Task>& GetTasks();
And so with definitions:
vector<Task> Project::GetTasks()
{
return Tasks;
}
should be:
const vector<Task>& Project::GetTasks() const { return Tasks; }
vector<Task>& Project::GetTasks() { return Tasks; }

Answer 2

The problem is that you are returning a copy of the vector<Task> from the GetTasks function. You then modify this copy and throw it away right afterwards. The internal member of Project is not changed.
If you return by reference like this:
vector<Task>& GetTasks();
Then you are basically returning something that points to the internal vector, and so when you modify it, you actually modify the member data of your class.