The problem is that grep will never obey .grepignore. That's so confusing as to be a deal-breaker.
Also, what about programs that have search functionality as part of their design, but not as their core function? For example, I don't want my text editor to search .min.js files. I'd even prefer it if such files didn't show up in my editor's sidebar. Do I have to add *.min.js to .searchignore and .atomignore? (Or if the editor people ever work out a standard, maybe it will be .editorignore.)
If I had to draw a Venn diagram of ignore patterns in my text editors, my search tools, and my rsync scripts, they'd mostly overlap. I don't deny the need for application-specific ignores, but there is a large class of applications that could benefit from a more generic ignore file.
I do think it would be better to have the name at least reflect that class of applications, maybe "searchignore" like someone else suggested. There may be overlap but it's hard to predict all the types of applications people are using that need ignore functionality and something as simple as backing things up with rsync would seem like an example where someone could well want considerably different ignores.
Also, what about programs that have search functionality as part of their design, but not as their core function? For example, I don't want my text editor to search .min.js files. I'd even prefer it if such files didn't show up in my editor's sidebar. Do I have to add *.min.js to .searchignore and .atomignore? (Or if the editor people ever work out a standard, maybe it will be .editorignore.)
If I had to draw a Venn diagram of ignore patterns in my text editors, my search tools, and my rsync scripts, they'd mostly overlap. I don't deny the need for application-specific ignores, but there is a large class of applications that could benefit from a more generic ignore file.