I also noticed that ^ can't be combined with some other options in particular orders, like:
(?^x)a b
allowed, and turns on x, so it matches 'ab'
(?x^)a b
not allowed
(?x^:a b)
allowed, and turns on x, so it matches 'ab'
(?^x:a b)
not allowed
With U it is the opposite order:
(?^U: a b)
allowed
(?U^: a b)
not allowed
This is confusing!
Wouldn't it be better to allow all combinations, with and without hyphens, and treat ^ just as a shortcut of imnrsx appearing, but when to the left of the hyphen, interpret them as if they where on the right side, and vice versa if it appears on the right? If it appears in a group without hyphen, treat it as a group with hyphen and they appear on the right.
Best regards,
David