An information sharing system to solve one or more information retrieval problems is concerned with the novel, hybrid use of the stochastic optimization techniques of evolutionary computation (EC) search strategies for computer information systems such as search engines, or service oriented architectures (SOAs). The information sharing system uses stochastic optimization agents for task distribution and communication when foraging a system of stored documents for information, assessing the computational effort required to retrieve information in the form of stored documents, sharing information among stochastic optimization agent processes and processors, and extracting knowledge from the information. The field of evolutionary computation encompasses stochastic optimization techniques, such as randomized search strategies, in the form of evolutionary strategies (ES), evolutionary programming (EP), genetic algorithms (GA), classifier systems, evolvable hardware (EHW), and genetic programming (GP). The information sharing system is an attempt to harness information processing models by adapting to information system fluctuations that occur within a computer, a local area network, and a wide area network that encompasses the whole Internet.