Why not 'file_exists()' for URLs?

Since fopen/fread/fclose all work with standard URLs, why not allow file_exists() to work with URLs as well? What is the procedure to make such a request? And yes, I know how to work around it for now; quite simple even for a newbie such as myself...not to mention that a similar question was recently posted and answered. Thanks, david -- In a Norwegian cocktail lounge: Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar.