Looking for simple rules-engine library in .NET [closed]

Answer 1

Well, since logical expression are just a subset of mathematical expression, you may want to try NCalc - Mathematical Expressions Evaluator for .NET over on CodePlex.

Answer 2

I've used this http://www.codeproject.com/KB/recipes/Flee.aspx with success in the past. Give it a try.

Answer 3

Agreeing with will I would say use something from the workflow engine family although not workflow. Examine System.Workflow.Activities.Rules Namespace a little bit - it's supported in .Net 3, and built into .Net3.5. You have everything in hand for free to use like you mentioned :

• RuleCondition for conditions , RuleAction for actions

• standardized format for describing metacode (CodeDom - CodeExpressions)

• you can plugin any kind of complexity into that (to tell the truth except Linq and lambdas and so extension methods of some kind) via TypeProviders

• there's a builtin editor for rule editing with intellisense

• as the rule is serializable it can be easily persisted

• if you meant to use the rules over a database scheme then via typeprovider it can be implemented too

For a starter : Using rules outside of a workflow

Ps.: we're using it extensively and there're much more in that namespace than you ever imagine -> a complete meta algorithm language

And the most important : it's easy to use - really

Answer 4

I would look at Windows Workflow. Rules engines and workflow tend to start simple and get progressively more complex. Something like Windows Workflow Foundation is not too difficult to start with and provides room for growth. Here is a post that shows it's not too difficult to get a simple workflow engine going.

Answer 5

Windows Workflow Foundation does give you a free forward chaining inference engine. And you can use it without the workflow part. Creating and Editing rules is ok for developers.

If you want to have non-programmers edit and maintain the rules you can try out the Rule Manager.

The Rule Manager will generate a working visual studio solution for you. That should get you started rather quickly. Just click on File \ Export and selecte the WFRules format.

Answer 6

You can take a look at our product as well at http://www.FlexRule.com

FlexRule is a Business Rule Engine framework with support for three engines; Procedural engine, Inference engine and RuleFlow engine. Its inference engine is a forward chaining inference that uses enhanced implementation of Rete Algorithm.