Yes the "validation code" is completely different - and that's the item "quickbooks team" member Dandi was referring to.  It is a code to activate the product so it can be used.

If you look through this forum, time and time again people are referred to login to their CAMPS account to retrieve their validation code, or contact desktop support to obtain it.  Neither options appear to be correct.  It would save so much frustration and time if Intuit would just confirm here that they are no longer providing validation codes to perpetual licensees.

Also, the "downloads and updates" section of a user's CAMPs account is virtually worthless if the user cannot actually activate their product.  What use is it to download if the required validation code will not be provided to the registered user?