A single missing bracket in a JSON file or a typo in a CSS property can crash an application. Validation is the first line of defense against buggy code.
Validation: Catching Errors Early
Validation tools parse your code against the official standard (be it HTML5, CSS3, or JSON). They don't just check if the code "runs"—they check if it is "correct."
Using an external validator is often better than relying on your browser, as browsers are designed to be "forgiving" (they try to guess what you meant). A validator is strict, ensuring your code works across all platforms, not just the one you are testing on.
Comparison: Managing Versions
When you are collaborating with a team, you will often end up with two versions of the same file. "Merge conflicts" are scary, but they are just text differences.
Using a visual comparison tool allows you to isolate the conflict. You can accept the incoming change, keep your current change, or merge both.
The UtilityKit Workflow
We recommend a "Validate then Commit" workflow. Before you push any config file or JSON data, run it through a validator. If you are overwriting a file, run it through a diff checker first to ensure you aren't deleting something important.
Validate Now
Check your syntax and compare files securely.
Conclusion
Clean, valid code is the hallmark of a professional developer. Use the right tools to ensure your output meets the highest standards.