# Why Validate Your Document

The LDP uses a number of scripts to distribute your document. These scripts retrieve your document from the LDP's document version management system (currently git using GitHub), and then they transform your document to other formats that users then read. Your document will also be mirrored on a number of sites worldwide (yet another set of scripts).

In order for these scripts to work correctly, your document must be both well formed and use valid markup. Well formed means your document follows the rules that XML is expecting: it complies with XML grammar rules. Valid markup means you only use elements or tags which are valid for your document: XML vocabulary rules are applied.

If your document is not well formed or uses invalid markup, the scripts will not be able to process it. As a result, your revised document will not be distributed.

## The Docbook Section

There is more information about how to validate your document in the DocBook section. Check out for more help with validating your document.