Optimal Schema Validator

Optimal is a JavaScript and TypeScript library designed for robust and type-safe schema definition, validation, and transformation of values. Currently at version 5.1.1, it provides a fluent, immutable API for constructing schemas that define object structures, configuration files, and validation fields. The library maintains a strong focus on performance and minimal footprint, boasting zero runtime dependencies and a small bundle size of just 5kB minified and gzipped. Its release cadence involves periodic major updates preceded by alpha versions, with minor patches addressing fixes. A key differentiator is its TypeScript-first approach, offering powerful inference and ensuring compile-time safety. It operates seamlessly in both Node.js environments (v12.17+) and modern browsers, providing features like recursive validation, automatic defaulting of missing fields, optional strictness for unknown fields, and support for complex logical operators (AND, OR, XOR) to combine schemas. This makes `optimal` suitable for defining and enforcing data contracts across various applications.