A system for hierarchical cooperative computing is provided, comprising a vector definition service configured to receive a user-submitted request, and compile the request into a vector; a rules engine configured to retrieve the vector from the vector definition service, and evaluate the vector for appropriateness; a parametric evaluator configured to parameterize the vector, and generate at least a run from the parameterized vector; and an optimizer configured to retrieve the run from the parametric evaluator, and determine an optimal plan for executing the user-submitted request.