The importance of the distribution system is mainly described, which is one of the three major parts of the power system. To summarize the conventional reliability algorithms, aiming at their shortcomings and then putting forward two significant intelligence algorithms: fuzzy evaluation and artificial intelligence method, followed by a brief description about how they achieve their computational aims and some of advantages and disadvantages about them. Finally, the future development of distribution reliability evaluation was prospected. It has some reference value for researches who are engaged in doing reliability work in power system.