Class API design: should I return a field in getXxx() method by value or as a const-ref?

In general, I would go with the const& version, since it avoids unnecessary copying.

The general rule is to return by value unless it is part of the contract that you return a reference to something internal (e.g. Like vector::operator). In addition to threading issues, there can easily be lifetime of object issues: if you return a reference, and the client captures it by reference, then deletes your object, he's left with a dangling reference.

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