What is the purpose of the .terraform.lock.hcl file?

The .terraform.lock.hcl file plays a crucial role in ensuring consistent provider versions are used across different environments and team members. It acts as a lock file that records the specific versions of each provider that are required for a Terraform configuration. This is important because it prevents any unintentional upgrades or downgrades of provider versions when the Terraform code is applied or when other team members run Terraform.

When you run Terraform commands, it automatically updates this lock file with the resolved versions of the providers it is using. By doing so, it ensures that everyone who runs the same Terraform configuration uses the exact same provider versions, leading to more predictable infrastructure changes and deployments.

The other choices do not accurately represent the function of the .terraform.lock.hcl file. The file does not contain execution plans, variable definitions, or sensitive values—each of those has its own designated purpose and storage mechanism in Terraform.