A method for building a software application includes: creating data fields based on input from a user, each having a value or a reference to another data field; grouping the data fields into node data structures, each having a node state for specifying allowable operations; assigning respective node data structures to a plurality of container data structures, respectively, where each container data structure stores information about conditions, actions, actions results, and permission settings to operate on one or more data fields. The method further includes creating tree data structures by linking the container data structures in a predetermined hierarchical manner, where each tree data structure includes information about relations of container data structures and node data structures in each tree data structure; and linking the tree data structures in an ordered sequence to create a computer executable process for performing an application.