Which statement about the virtual DOM is true?

The statement that the virtual DOM represents a lightweight version of the DOM is correct. The virtual DOM is an abstraction of the actual DOM and is designed to optimize updates and rendering in web applications, especially those built with frameworks like React.

When changes are made in the application, the virtual DOM creates a lightweight representation of the actual DOM. This makes it easier and faster to determine what changes need to be made to the real DOM, ultimately reducing the performance overhead associated with direct manipulation of the actual DOM. By comparing the virtual DOM with a previous version, React can efficiently determine the minimal number of changes required, which enhances overall application performance.

In this way, the virtual DOM acts as a bridge between the application logic and the actual rendering mechanism, allowing for better resource management and user experience.