1. A data transformation system comprising: a data interface configured to receive data to be transformed or to send transformed data; memory configured to store one or more transform process definitions having at least one simple transform definition and at least one compound transform definition; an application including computer instructions; and a data interpreter configured to exchange data with the data interface and the application, the data interpreter including a transform engine configured to select a transform process definition from the one or more transform process definitions, the selected transform process definition including a hierarchical data structure, concurrently navigate the selected transform process definition and the data to be transformed, navigation within the data to be transformed being response to transform definitions within the selected transform process definition, and generate output data having a data structure responsive to a data structure of the selected transform process definition.