[c++] Passing vector by reference

You can pass vector by reference just like this:

void do_something(int el, std::vector<int> &arr){
    arr.push_back(el);
}

However, note that this function would always add a new element at the back of the vector, whereas your array function actually modifies the first element (or initializes it value).

In order to achieve exactly the same result you should write:

void do_something(int el, std::vector<int> &arr){
    if (arr.size() == 0) { // can't modify value of non-existent element
        arr.push_back(el);
    } else {
        arr[0] = el;
    }
}

In this way you either add the first element (if the vector is empty) or modify its value (if there first element already exists).