Adds input validation to materialize execution path

[skrawcz]

It was not doing what execute does, and validating inputs before execution. This fixes that, and adds a basic test for it.

Changes

• driver.py
• test_hamilton_driver.py

How I tested this

• locally
• via unit tests

Notes

Checklist

• PR has an informative and human-readable title (this will be pulled into the release notes)
• Changes are limited to a single goal (no scope creep)
• Code passed the pre-commit check & code is left cleaner/nicer than when first encountered.
• Any change in functionality is tested
• New functions are documented (with a description, list of inputs, and expected output)
• Placeholder code is flagged / future TODOs are captured in comments
• Project documentation has been updated if adding/changing functionality.

[elijahbenizzy]

LGTM