Brand New - please don't put me on blast - basic questions about utilizing what is made in Max

Hi there -

So I stumbled upon MAX for the first time today. I've been exploring/reading help files, combing through the forums... I'm really just trying to understand some very basic fundamentals here...

Can I export what I make in MAX to a VST format or a stand-alone plugin of some kind?
From what I can tell the answer seems like no. At least, not directly. The closest thing is it appears as though (perhaps with the release of 8.5) I can export to C++ which I imagine I could then theoretically turn into a VST with some additional programming. There in lies the rub though...

In case it wasn't blatantly obvious from the above commentary, I know next to nothing about "coding" at least not in the traditional sense. I like to make music for fun... I'm not interested in learning to code to be honest. I am however interested in creating my own instruments. MAX being a visual programming tool seemed like it would potentially be a great place for me to start. However, if the barrier for taking whatever I make in max and making it a stand alone plugin or VST is too high - then perhaps it isn't for me after all. I don't want whatever I make in MAX to have to stay in MAX.

MAX for Live
As I understand it - this is basically the "easy answer" to all of the above. If I have Ableton then MAX for Live would allow me to essentially quickly bridge the gap from what I make in MAX over to Ableton Live... is that an accurate assessment? If that's really the only way to get whatever I make in MAX out into a DAW environment - then I suppose that's what I'll need to do. I'm just not currently a Ableton Live user... So I'd need to learn that as well. Currently I use Cubase, Reason, and FLStudio.

Again, I'm brand new. Please take that in to consideration when responding. If you think I'm an idiot or that I shouldn't ask questions like this... or that I should have done X ... or Y ... or Z before posting this, then please just move along. I'm not here to waste anyone's time - and I'd rather not be flamed. Sorry If I'm coming across as overly cautious about all that - it's just because, well let's be honest; We all know how the internet works. In my experience there is literally no nook where you can go without receiving some sort of unrequested criticism for something.

Read this on Wikipedia
"Max documents (named patchers) can be bundled into stand-alone applications and distributed free or sold commercially. In addition, Max can be used to author audio and MIDI plugin software for Ableton Live through the Max for Live extension."

This to me suggests that people are indeed exporting what they make in MAX and even selling it. I'd be curious to hear what different methods people are using to accomplish this. Specifically the task of creating something that can be sold commercially and in particular to the larger masses that may not be users of MAX.
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If you made it this far. I appreciate you reading. From reading the above - do you think MAX is worth me getting into experimenting with and that I'll be able to accomplish what I'd like to? If not and you have a recommendation for a different visual coding platform that may be better - please let me know. If you've gotten this far and you're chomping at the bit to tell me how much of a "douche" I am... or a "noob" ... or (insert whatever pejorative here) and how my post irritated/irritates you. You can, but just know that you'll be hurting some random sensitive person's feelings for no reason. Lol

Thanks, have a good day!