Implementing data flows of an application across a memory hierarchy of a data processing array includes receiving a data flow graph specifying an application for execution on the data processing array. A plurality of buffer objects corresponding to a plurality of different levels of the memory hierarchy of the data processing array and an external memory are identified. The plurality of buffer objects specify data flows. Buffer object parameters are determined. The buffer object parameters define properties of the data flows. Data that configures the data processing array to implement the data flows among the plurality of different levels of the memory hierarchy and the external memory is generated based on the plurality of buffer objects and the buffer object parameters.