1. A method performing a context-sensitive, pre-evaluation analysis of a set of rules comprising: identifying at least one multiple-clause rule from a plurality of rules, said at least one multiple-clause rule containing a first clause defining a first characteristic condition in a context of a state of the first characteristic; ascertaining a current state of the first characteristic; excluding the identified at least one multiple-clause rule from evaluation with the plurality of rules on the basis of the first clause in a context of the current state of the first characteristic; and excluding data from evaluation in the context of the identified at least one multiple-clause rule.