Generating a data parser for parsing an input stream of data objects includes receiving information representative of a hierarchical data format defining a plurality of objects organized in a hierarchy. The objects include one or more schema objects representing data objects, and one or more container objects each associated with one or more schema objects. The generating also includes processing the received information to form the data parser. The processing includes determining permissible transitions between successive data objects in the input stream, based at least in part on the information representative of the hierarchical data format. The processing also includes associating one or more data operations with each of the determined permissible transitions. The processing also includes storing a specification for configuring a processor to execute the data parser to: (1) recognize a transition between a first data object and a second data object in the input stream, and (2) perform a data operation associated with the recognized transition on a data value within the second data object based at least in part on a context associated with one or more previously recognized transitions.