A system for executing a streaming query includes an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to receive a logical query plan. The processor is configured to determine a physical query plan based at least in part on the logical query plan. The physical query plan comprises an ordered set of operators. Each operator of the ordered set of operators comprises an operator input mode and an operator output mode. The processor is further configured to execute the physical query plan using the operator input mode and the operator output mode for each operator of the query.