prototype for toString() method

From: qazmlp (qazmlp1209_at_rediffmail.com)
Date: 01/31/04 

Date: 31 Jan 2004 00:16:51 -0800

I have a class containing 5-6 member data. I want to provide a toString() method
as a part of this class to help the users to do tracing.

const std::string& toString()
{
  std::string objectData ;
  objectData = "memberData1=" + memberData1 ;
  objectData += " memberData2=" + memberData2 ;
  objectData += " memberData3=" + memberData3 ;
  objectData += " memberData4=" + memberData4 ;
  objectData += " memberData5=" + memberData5 ;
  return objectData ;
}

Is the function signature Ok? Or, do you suggest to make it as
"std::string toString()" ? If yes, why?
Do you suggest any improvements in the above code?