1. A computer accessible memory medium that stores program instructions executable by a processor to: receive a first data flow program, wherein the first data flow program is an object oriented program comprising instances of one or more classes, wherein the first data flow program is executable to perform a first function; and automatically convert the first data flow program to a second data flow program, wherein the second data flow program does not include the instances of the one or more classes, and wherein the second data flow program is executable to perform the first function; and compile the second data flow program into a hardware configuration program, wherein the hardware configuration program is configured to be deployed onto a programmable hardware element.