1. A computer-implemented method of generating a representation of a business rule for subsequent use during automated rule processing where the business rule includes multiple rule components indicative of a business or engineering system, the method comprising: for at least one rule component, providing a graphical representation of a relational diagram to indicate at least one attribute; receiving at least one parameter that defines an enumeration or an attribute of the relational diagram; and defining the at least one rule component by denoting an interrelation between the at least one attribute and the enumeration or the attribute on the relational diagram; assigning an order to the denoted interrelations for all defined rule components; producing a representation of the business rule in the form of respective signatures, addresses for the signatures, and validity statuses associated with the denoted interrelations responsive to assigning the order; and storing the representation in a memory for subsequent use during rule processing.