1. A system for data processing objects having a plurality of attributes in an object-based environment, comprising: computer memory; a global configuration stream having first configuration data indicative of a sequential arrangement of object lists, said global configuration stream being stored in said computer memory; a plurality of said object lists accessible within said computer memory in an organization defined by said sequential arrangement, said sequential arrangement having a first object list and a last object list, said sequential arrangement further having intermediate object lists, each intermediate object list having data to provide an access link to an immediately preceding object list and an access link to an immediately following object list in said sequential arrangement, said access links forming a linked sequence of said object lists, each object list having data for identifying attribute values of an object associated with said each object list, each object being related to at least one attribute and at least one method; a local configuration stream for each of said object lists, said local configuration stream of a specific object list having second configuration data indicative of a data structure for attributes of an object associated with said specific object list, each local configuration stream being stored in said computer memory; a processor configured to access said object lists in a sequence based on said sequential arrangement indicated in said global configuration stream and to manipulate said objects at least partially based on said second configuration data of said local configuration streams; and indexing means for traversing said sequential arrangement of object lists in selectable increments greater than one such that required access steps for a designated object list in said sequential arrangement are varied in accordance with a selection of said increment.