eza (formerly exa, ls replacement) can now show the actual total size of directory contents
I just noticed that eza can now display total disk space used by directories!
I think this is pretty cool. I wanted it for a long time.
There are other ways to get the information of course. But having it integrated with all the other options for listing directories is fab. eza has features like --git-awareness, --tree display, clickable --hyperlink, filetype --icons and other display, permissions, dates, ownerships, and other stuff. being able to mash everything together in any arbitrary way which is useful is handy. And of course you can --sort=size
If you are asking me, personally, it's because making any contributions to ls is far beyond my capacities and will remain that way for the forseeable future.
Personal deficiencies aside, would it even be a good idea to modify ls in this way? It seems to me that stability and predictability is a feature, not a bug. Basically you know how ls will work on every linux system. Adding all these features would turn it into something else and potentially introduce chaos. ls is tested on >millions of systems in every context; a known quantity. A feature set which is limited to the necessities avoids introducing bugs, flaws, security issues etc.
And once added, a feature probably shouldn't be removed. In 2024 I love having git status optionally integrated into my ls-type tool. But in 2034 will git still be as ubiquitous? What about 2054? ls is for the ages. eza is for right now.