I believe it should not default, but be a required argument.  When you ask for file info, you should have to think about what you actually want.  That's the C-level status quo: there is no default as between stat() and lstat() ,you have to pick one.

John Cowan          http://vrici.lojban.org/~cowan        xxxxxx@ccil.org
Schlingt dreifach einen Kreis vom dies!
Schliesst euer Aug vor heiliger Schau,
Denn er genoss vom Honig-Tau,
Und trank die Milch vom Paradies.