An asymmetric data record processor and method includes host computers and Job processing units (JPU's) coupled together on a network. Each host computer and JPU forms a node on the network. A plurality of software operators allow each node to process streams of records. For each operator in a given sequence within nodes and across nodes, output of the operator is input to a respective succeeding operator. Data processing follows a logical data flow based on readiness of a record. As soon as a record is ready it is passed for processing from one part to a next part in the logical data flow. The flow of records during data processing is substantially continuous and of a streaming fashion.