The ILOG Rule Engine for .NET is represented by the RuleEngine class. Before executing the ruleset with RuleEngine.Execute you need to present the objects to which you want to apply the rules. You can do this in one of two ways: by adding objects to the working memory directly; or by using ruleset parameters in conjunction with a ruleflow. See Creating an Engine and Executing a Ruleset for an example of how to set parameter values.

The Assert method adds an (unnamed) object to working memory. If you pass a collection as a ruleset parameter you have a named object that you can dereference from within your rules. If your business logic requires significant pattern matching or inference, then the Assert API and the working memory of the RetePlus mode is recommended. Presenting objects in this way forces you into a stateful interaction with the engine. Error handling and/or failure recovery can become more complex in these cases.

using ILOG.Rules;
using CustomerBOM; // the business object model
...
RuleEngine engine = new RuleEngine();
Person billy = new Person(); // the object of interest
billy.name = "Billy";
engine.RuleSet = new CustomerRules(); // the rules to execute
engine.Assert(billy); // add the object in working memory
engine.Execute();
 

Imports ILOG.Rules
Imports CustomerBOM `the business object model
...
Dim engine As New RuleEngine
engine.RuleSet = New CustomerRules `the rules to execute
Dim billy As New Customer `the object of interest
billy.name = "Billy"
engine.Assert(billy) `add the object in working memory
engine.Execute()

Creating an Engine and Executing a Ruleset | Retrieving Data and Events From the Engine | The RetePlus Mode