It's primary purpose is to develop programs for the Windows platform.
Microsoft developed Visual C++.
The complete history of Visual C++ can be found in the "Visual C++" article in Wikipedia.
No, M$ Windoze only.
Yes. Microsoft Visual C++ is the correct name, but it is often abbreviated to MSVC++ or just VC++. They are all the same.
If you use microsoft's "Visual C++ Compiler" whoever is going to use your program needs the redistributable installed.
Yes.
No. Visual C++ Express is free, but Visual Studio C++ must be bought. The Express edition is a subset of the Studio release.
Your question request a comparison between apples and pears. C++ is a programming language. Microsoft Visual C++ Express is one of many development tools that you can use to create programs using the C++ programming language. Microsoft Visual C++ Express supports native C++ development, and supports development in 'managed C++,' a Microsoft-specific derivative of the C++ language, aimed specifically at the .NET platform.
Nevermind, I did it.
You can't integrate C++ source code directly into Visual Basic code. In order to make use of code written in another language, including C++, you must compile that source to produce a DLL. You can then link to that DLL via Visual Basic. The only caveat is that you must replace the C++ data types in the function declarations with the equivalent Visual Basic data types, such as 'Byte' for a C++ unsigned char, or 'Single' for a C++ float.
Visual C++ 6.0 is more than 16 years old. It is no longer available to buy and it was never available for free. The current version is Visual C++ 2013.
There should be "Properties" window. If you do not see, you can make it visible if you go to "View"-> "Properties".