What is the purpose of the .gitignore file in Git?

The .gitignore file serves a vital function in Git by specifying which files or directories should not be tracked by the version control system. This means that any files listed in the .gitignore will be excluded from being added to the staging area, ensuring that they do not get included in commits.

This is particularly useful for files that are generated during development, such as log files, temporary files, or configuration files containing sensitive data that should not be shared or versioned. By clearly defining which files to ignore, the .gitignore file helps maintain a cleaner, more manageable repository that focuses only on the necessary code and resources.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the function of the .gitignore file. Commit messages are associated with each specific commit and are not managed through the .gitignore. Configuring the Git repository involves different settings that are typically managed in configuration files rather than through the .gitignore. Initializing a new repository is done using the git init command and is not related to the .gitignore file.