1. A data processing system, comprising: a processor, for processing instructions and data; a storage subsystem, for storing instructions and data for use in said processor, said storage subsystem comprising a hierarchical type mask encoding and transform module, wherein the hierarchical type mask encoding and transform module is used for encoding and transforming data in a first data format having a hierarchical data structure to a second encoded data format that preserves said hierarchical data structure for use in said processor; and an input-output subsystem for controlling interaction between said processor, said storage subsystem and peripheral devices.