>>What version of C++ to work upon?
You can choose to compile for any version, but I'd recommend C++7.0 because 8.0 and later may involve formal installation of C++ redistributable or NET libraries rather than simply including the C++ 7.0 runtime in your app folder, and there's no distinguishing reason to use 8.0 or later with VC anyway.
Re C++ compilers- no worries, MAKE and its supporting stuff is included and automatically invoked when needed.
>>Does the compiler support the building of dll-free "monolithic executables" that include all the VFP-9 bundle?
Yes- but not recommended because virus scanners and newer Windows OS don't like apps that unpack payloads. Better just to include the runtimes in your app folder- or with VFPA you can compile a C++ exe and dll that no longer needs any VFP runtimes, just the C++ runtime (actually you may not even need that, but better to be safe than sorry!)
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1
