title: How to protect a file in the git repository from commits after ther first commit?
body: <p>I have a <code>tracking.properties</code> file under my Java app classpath, which can change every moment like "seq=10" to "seq=17".</p>
  
  <p>The property file is now put into github repository. I hope that the file exists in the repository so that other developers can clone it and that the file be not pushed by them because the "seq" can change from user to user.</p>
  
  <p>I tried</p>
  
  <pre><code>git rm --cached -f &lt;file&gt;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>then add <code>tracking.properties</code> to .gitignore, but it results in deleteing the property file in the git repository. It should remain there and only ONCE-FOR-ALL commit be allowed. Is it possible?</p>