Which statement is TRUE about the .gitignore file?

The statement that the .gitignore file prevents entire files from being tracked in your repository is true. The primary purpose of the .gitignore file is to specify which files or directories should be ignored by Git during the version control process. This means that any files or patterns listed in the .gitignore file will not be tracked, preventing them from being added to the repository when a commit is made.

This is particularly useful for excluding files that are not necessary for the project's source code, such as temporary files, build artifacts, or sensitive information that should not be included in the version history. For instance, files like local configuration files or dependency caches are often included in the .gitignore file to keep the repository clean and focused only on the essential parts of the project.

Other statements, such as those about restricting user access or requiring the .gitignore file in every repository, do not accurately reflect the purpose or functionality of the .gitignore file. It is a helpful tool for managing which files are tracked, but it is not mandatory for the functioning of a repository, as Git can operate without it.