Business Rules Engine
A Business Rules Engine (BRE) is a software system that executes business rules in a runtime production environment, allowing non-technical users to define and manage business logic separately from application code. It enables organizations to automate decision-making processes by applying predefined rules to data inputs, such as validating transactions, calculating discounts, or determining eligibility. BREs typically provide a user-friendly interface for rule creation and management, reducing reliance on developers for logic changes.
Developers should use a Business Rules Engine when building applications that require frequent updates to business logic, such as in finance, insurance, or e-commerce systems, where rules for pricing, compliance, or customer segmentation change often. It centralizes rule management, improves agility by allowing business analysts to modify rules without code deployments, and enhances maintainability by decoupling logic from core application code. This is particularly valuable in regulated industries or dynamic markets where rapid adaptation is critical.