Which command is used to initialize a Terraform configuration?

The command used to initialize a Terraform configuration is "terraform init." This command sets up the working directory containing the Terraform configuration files. It downloads the necessary provider plugins specified in the configuration, prepares the backend for storing the state file, and ensures that your environment is ready for running other Terraform commands.

By running "terraform init," you are effectively configuring the working environment for the current project. This essential step is typically performed before any other commands, as it sets the foundation for Terraform to understand what resources should be managed and how they should interact. Without properly initializing the directory, subsequent commands may fail or lead to errors, as Terraform will not have the necessary context or resources available.

The other choices do not represent valid Terraform commands for initialization purposes. For example, "terraform start" and "terraform configure" do not exist within the Terraform command set, and "terraform bootstrap," while it sounds suitable, is not a recognized command in Terraform's lifecycle. This clarification reinforces the importance of "terraform init" in the Terraform workflow.