Schema Validation
Schema validation is a process in software development that ensures data conforms to a predefined structure, format, and constraints, typically defined in a schema. It is commonly used to validate data inputs, API requests/responses, and database entries against rules such as data types, required fields, and value ranges. This helps maintain data integrity, prevent errors, and enforce consistency across systems.
Developers should use schema validation when building APIs, handling user inputs, or integrating systems to ensure data quality and security, such as validating JSON payloads in REST APIs or form submissions in web applications. It is crucial in scenarios like data serialization/deserialization, where malformed data can cause runtime errors or security vulnerabilities, and in microservices architectures to enforce contracts between services.