need help on coding grammar about reference / pointer /instance.

Hi All

On coding , I think I need some basic help about how to write member
function .

I've readed the FAQ, but I am still confuse about it when coding(reference /
pointer /instance) , so I think I need some "template".
Sorry for my coding experience in c++

Suppose we have

class FooClass{

public:

/*
  foo() // this is what I want to ask below
 */

private:
    string str;
}

What I need "template" is:

1. Use a outside string (string*,string&) to replace string content in class
string* outp;
string outi;
string& outr;
how to write these three foo()?

2. 1 outside will get string content inside of class, but outside can not
change it, (return a copy/return const pointer)
2. 2 outside will get string content inside of class, but outside can change
it, (return a point/reference)

3. outside can get string which have processed in foo()
   string* foo(){
     string* temp;
     temp = processof(str);
     return temp*
     }
  how to use autoptr to void mem leak? if I forgot delete temp* outside?

your help will save my life:-)

                                                              key9

keep trying ......