std::vector<> is part of the Standard Template Library (STL), which was included in the standardization of C++ as part of the Standard C++ Library. It's free and it's extremely powerful!
There are quite a few container template classes available in STL, and once you get used to using them you'll wonder why you'd ever mess with any other language again. Seriously.
Here are a few good links to some of the best C++ writings out there:
STL
- SGI's STL programmers guide:
http://www.sgi.com/tech/stl/
- STLPort is a free port of STL, used commonly for maximum compatibility:
http://www.stlport.org/ C++ in general
- C++ Boost, some of the most talented C++ coders in the world:
http://www.boost.org/ many of their ideas are being nominated for the next ANSI revision.
- C/C++ User Journal, pay close attention to the C++ Experts Forum:
http://www.cuj.com/experts/?topic=experts More specifically, read anything and everything written by Scott Meyers or Herb Sutter.
Usenet
- comp.lang.c++.moderated, read anything and everything written by Andrei Alexandrescu. This guy is reinventing the way a lot of people thing about programming, and meta-programming specifically.
If I think of anything else I'll drop a note.