Why is input validation critical before tool invocation?

• A. To maximize throughput by batching inputs to tools.
• B. To speed up tool invocation by skipping validation.
• C. To ensure inputs conform to the tool contract and prevent errors or incorrect behavior.
• D. To improve security by sandboxing tool calls.

Answer: (C)

Validating inputs before invoking a tool ensures the data you pass matches what the tool can handle. Tools define a contract: expected types, formats, ranges, and invariants. When inputs conform to this contract, the tool runs predictably, and you avoid runtime errors, misinterpretation of data, or incorrect results. Validation catches problems early, lets you return meaningful error messages, and makes the system more robust. It also helps reduce security risks by rejecting malformed or dangerous values before they reach the tool. While concerns like throughput or separate security measures exist in other contexts, the core reason is preventing errors or incorrect behavior by enforcing the correct input shape and values.