GNU utils: [diff] wishlist / add option --exlude-path=PATTERN

[Jari Aalto]

The diff(1) contains options:

    -x PAT  --exclude=PAT
           Exclude files that match PAT.

    -X FILE  --exclude-from=FILE
           Exclude files that match any pattern in FILE.

SUGGESTION

When doing a recursive diffing, there is a need for one option more:

    --exlude-path=PATTERN

This would make it possible to match path name to exclude version
control related subdirectories from the diff. Those like

    *.bzr*
    *.git*
    *.hg*
    *CVS*
    *.svn*
    *.darcs*
    *.mtn*

It would also help if this option were made to use (extended) regular
expressions, and not only shell-like match patterns.

Jari