SQL

A general tip beforehand: Try to choose a subject that summarizes your question - your question has nothing to do with SQL in the least. So the subject is misleading. The real question is 'how do I display data as a grid/table'. It doesn't matter if the datasource is a database, a file, user input or whatever.

Unless you're going to use mfc it doesn't matter what compiler you use provided you have the required win32 libraries. Win32 itself does not offer a grid control (afaik), so you'll either have to write your own or find one on the net.

Here's what a quick search on google {grid control win32} provided: Win32 Grid Control with Low Overhead (BABYGRID).

Out of all these thousands of different grids and toolkits how can I know which to use? Which are commonly used?

Use the toolkit you are most comfortable with (eg: fits your coding style, simple to use, offers the functionality you need, good tutorials, etc. etc.).

It doesn't really matter which one is 'commonly used' as long as the toolkit you choose offers what you need, and since you're (likely) a beginner one that comes along with good documentation/tutorials. It should also be easy to implement with the rest of your code so you don't have to mangle everything else to get it to work.