Rules-based Programming

"Today we program this stuff in procedural languages, and we make a hell of a mess doing so. Wouldn't it be great if we could declare a bunch of rules and have a rules engine work out the consequences?" -- Jon Udell

This caught my attention.  If you look closely at the architecture of MySmartChannels presentation models, you will find a collection of XSL rules that simply adapt to the content thrown at them. A good example of this is my consulting company's site (Global Technologies). As you browse this seemingly complex collection of Web pages, realize that it's really one XSL document that interprets the content it encounters with grace. In fact, you'll find this Web log embedded in the site, seamlessly integrated without taxing the technical skills of the Web page designer.