Adaptive Query Targeting in a Dynamic Distributed Environment

Techniques for adaptive query targeting in a dynamic distributed computing environment are provided. In one aspect, a method for adaptive query targeting in a distributed computing system having two or more cooperating nodes is provided. The method includes the steps of: using a peer selection criteria to select one or more of the nodes as target peers for a query from a querying node; leasing the query to the target peers for a given length of time via a lease having a given lifetime; periodically refreshing the query during the lifetime of the lease by re-evaluating the peer selection criteria such that the query persists on one or more of the target peers for the lifetime of the lease; and having the query removed from the target peers when the lease expires.