A data object from a data source is received by a distributed process in a data stream. The distributed process has a sequence of categories, each category containing one or more tasks that operate on the data object. The data object includes files that can be processed by the tasks. If the task is able to operate on the data object, then the data object is passed to the task. If the task is unable to operate on the data object, then the files in the data object are passed to a file staging area of the distributed process and stored in memory. The files in the file staging area are passed, in sequence, from the file staging area to the task that was unable to operate on the data object. The data object is outputted to a next category or data sink after being operated on by the task.