I am not sure if it is possible to write a Data Provider in C#.  Here is the code I'm using, which should work.  My fallback will be to put it in App_Code in my module in VB if I have to:  This was the closest forum I could find which might be able to answer my question.

I know it isn't quite the right "fit" for the question but any others seemed even further afield.  Steer me in the right direction if I'm off the mark.

Here's my code:

namespace ISSI.DNN.NewVISSearchWebApp
{
    public abstract class DataProvider
    {
        #region "Static Methods"
        private static DataProvider objProvider = null;

        static DataProvider()
        {
            CreateProvider();
        }

        public static void CreateProvider()
        {
            objProvider = (DataProvider) DotNetNuke.Framework.Reflection.CreateObject("ISSI.DNN.NewVISSearchWebApp");
        }

        public static new DataProvider Instance()
        {
            return objProvider;
        }
        #endregion