16 files changed, 190 insertions, 85 deletions
diff --git a/gr-blocks/grc/blocks_plateau_detector_fb.block.yml b/gr-blocks/grc/blocks_plateau_detector_fb.block.yml
index 7d0ed32649..d8397719bb 100644
--- a/gr-blocks/grc/blocks_plateau_detector_fb.block.yml
+++ b/gr-blocks/grc/blocks_plateau_detector_fb.block.yml
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ outputs:
 templates:
     imports: from gnuradio import blocks
     make: blocks.plateau_detector_fb(${max_len}, ${threshold})
+    callbacks:
+      - set_threshold(${threshold})
 
 cpp_templates:
     includes: ['#include <gnuradio/blocks/plateau_detector_fb.h>']
diff --git a/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_entry.block.yml b/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_entry.block.yml
index 7f5991ea82..9979530d2d 100644
--- a/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_entry.block.yml
+++ b/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_entry.block.yml
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ cpp_templates:
         this->_${id}_line_edit = new QLineEdit(QString::number(this->${id}));
         this->_${id}_tool_bar->addWidget(this->_${id}_line_edit);
         QObject::connect(this->_${id}_line_edit, &QLineEdit::returnPressed, this, [this] () {this->set_${id}(this->_${id}_line_edit->text().toInt());});
-        // FIXME
+
         this->top_layout->addWidget(this->_${id}_tool_bar);
 
 documentation: |-
diff --git a/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_freq_sink_x.block.yml b/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_freq_sink_x.block.yml
index 648394cf6e..9eb49b8605 100644
--- a/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_freq_sink_x.block.yml
+++ b/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_freq_sink_x.block.yml
@@ -506,7 +506,6 @@ cpp_templates:
 
         _${id}_win = this->${id}->qwidget();
         this->top_layout->addWidget(_${id}_win);
-        // FIXME
     translations:
         firdes.: 'filter::firdes::'
         'True': 'true'
diff --git a/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_time_raster_x.block.yml b/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_time_raster_x.block.yml
index 912abb5a9b..350c125afc 100644
--- a/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_time_raster_x.block.yml
+++ b/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_time_raster_x.block.yml
@@ -224,8 +224,6 @@ templates:
     - set_multiplier(${mult})
     - set_offset(${offset})
     - set_update_time(${update_time})
-    - set_title(${which}, ${title})
-    - set_color(${which}, ${color})
     make: |-
         <%
             win = 'self._%s_win'%id
diff --git a/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_time_sink_x.block.yml b/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_time_sink_x.block.yml
index 898b40e335..f97b30e8db 100644
--- a/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_time_sink_x.block.yml
+++ b/gr-qtgui/grc/qtgui_time_sink_x.block.yml
@@ -498,8 +498,6 @@ templates:
     callbacks:
     - set_time_domain_axis(${min}, ${max})
     - set_update_time(${update_time})
-    - set_title(${which}, ${title})
-    - set_color(${which}, ${color})
     - set_y_axis(${ymin}, ${ymax})
     - set_samp_rate(${srate})
     - self.${id}.set_trigger_mode(${tr_mode}, ${tr_slope}, ${tr_level}, ${tr_delay},
diff --git a/grc/blocks/pad_sink.block.yml b/grc/blocks/pad_sink.block.yml
index 88aa794cf5..b0a93ee24f 100644
--- a/grc/blocks/pad_sink.block.yml
+++ b/grc/blocks/pad_sink.block.yml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 id: pad_sink
 label: Pad Sink
-flags: [ python ]
+flags: [ python, cpp ]
 
 parameters:
 -   id: label
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ parameters:
     option_attributes:
         size: [gr.sizeof_gr_complex, gr.sizeof_float, gr.sizeof_int, gr.sizeof_short,
             gr.sizeof_char, gr.sizeof_char, '0', '0']
+        cpp_size: [sizeof(gr_complex), sizeof(float), sizeof(int), sizeof(short),
+            sizeof(char), sizeof(char), '0', '0']
     hide: part
 -   id: vlen
     label: Vec Length
diff --git a/grc/blocks/pad_source.block.yml b/grc/blocks/pad_source.block.yml
index ba52905447..0377e6fb1f 100644
--- a/grc/blocks/pad_source.block.yml
+++ b/grc/blocks/pad_source.block.yml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 id: pad_source
 label: Pad Source
-flags: [ python ]
+flags: [ python, cpp ]
 
 parameters:
 -   id: label
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ parameters:
     option_attributes:
         size: [gr.sizeof_gr_complex, gr.sizeof_float, gr.sizeof_int, gr.sizeof_short,
             gr.sizeof_char, gr.sizeof_char, '0', '0']
+        cpp_size: [sizeof(gr_complex), sizeof(float), sizeof(int), sizeof(short),
+            sizeof(char), sizeof(char), '0', '0']
     hide: part
 -   id: vlen
     label: Vec Length
diff --git a/grc/core/generator/FlowGraphProxy.py b/grc/core/generator/FlowGraphProxy.py
index 8068156c0d..bf73ee8ff0 100644
--- a/grc/core/generator/FlowGraphProxy.py
+++ b/grc/core/generator/FlowGraphProxy.py
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ class FlowGraphProxy(object):  # TODO: move this in a refactored Generator
                 'type': str(pad.params['type'].get_evaluated()),
                 'vlen': str(pad.params['vlen'].get_value()),
                 'size':  type_param.options.attributes[type_param.get_value()]['size'],
+                'cpp_size':  type_param.options.attributes[type_param.get_value()]['cpp_size'],
                 'optional': bool(pad.params['optional'].get_evaluated()),
             }
             num_ports = pad.params['num_streams'].get_evaluated()
diff --git a/grc/core/generator/Generator.py b/grc/core/generator/Generator.py
index 91526d8714..135f4538d5 100644
--- a/grc/core/generator/Generator.py
+++ b/grc/core/generator/Generator.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ from mako.template import Template
 from .hier_block import HierBlockGenerator, QtHierBlockGenerator
 from .top_block import TopBlockGenerator
 from .cpp_top_block import CppTopBlockGenerator
+from .cpp_hier_block import CppHierBlockGenerator
 
 DATA_DIR = os.path.dirname(__file__)
 FLOW_GRAPH_TEMPLATE = os.path.join(DATA_DIR, 'flow_graph.py.mako')
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ class Generator(object):
         elif self.output_language == 'cpp':
 
             if self.generate_options == 'hb':
-                pass
+                generator_cls = CppHierBlockGenerator
             elif self.generate_options == 'hb_qt_gui':
                 pass
             else:
diff --git a/grc/core/generator/cpp_hier_block.py b/grc/core/generator/cpp_hier_block.py
index e81d62c549..9cee410810 100644
--- a/grc/core/generator/cpp_hier_block.py
+++ b/grc/core/generator/cpp_hier_block.py
@@ -2,13 +2,15 @@ import collections
 import os
 
 import six
+import codecs
 
-from .top_block import TopBlockGenerator
+from .cpp_top_block import CppTopBlockGenerator
 
-from .. import ParseXML, Constants
+from .. import Constants
+from ..io import yaml
 
 class CppHierBlockGenerator(CppTopBlockGenerator):
-    """Extends the top block generator to also generate a block XML file"""
+    """Extends the top block generator to also generate a block YML file"""
 
     def __init__(self, flow_graph, file_path):
         """
@@ -16,7 +18,7 @@ class CppHierBlockGenerator(CppTopBlockGenerator):
 
         Args:
             flow_graph: the flow graph object
-            file_path: where to write the py file (the xml goes into HIER_BLOCK_LIB_DIR)
+            file_path: where to write the py file (the yml goes into HIER_BLOCK_LIB_DIR)
         """
         CppTopBlockGenerator.__init__(self, flow_graph, file_path)
         platform = flow_graph.parent
@@ -27,24 +29,40 @@ class CppHierBlockGenerator(CppTopBlockGenerator):
 
         self._mode = Constants.HIER_BLOCK_FILE_MODE
         self.file_path = os.path.join(hier_block_lib_dir, self._flow_graph.get_option('id'))
-        self.file_path_xml = self.file_path + '.xml' # TODO: yml
+        self.file_path_yml = self.file_path + '.block.yml'
 
     def write(self):
         """generate output and write it to files"""
-        TopBlockGenerator.write(self)
-        ParseXML.to_file(self._build_block_n_from_flow_graph_io(), self.file_path_xml)
-        ParseXML.validate_dtd(self.file_path_xml, Constants.BLOCK_DTD)
-        try:
-            os.chmod(self.file_path_xml, self._mode)
-        except:
-            pass
+        CppTopBlockGenerator.write(self)
+
+        data = yaml.dump(self._build_block_n_from_flow_graph_io())
+
+        replace = [
+            ('parameters:', '\nparameters:'),
+            ('inputs:', '\ninputs:'),
+            ('outputs:', '\noutputs:'),
+            ('asserts:', '\nasserts:'),
+            ('\ntemplates:', '\n\ntemplates:'),
+            ('cpp_templates:', '\ncpp_templates:'),
+            ('documentation:', '\ndocumentation:'),
+            ('file_format:', '\nfile_format:'),
+        ]
+        for r in replace:
+            data = data.replace(*r)
+
+        with codecs.open(self.file_path_yml, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
+            fp.write(data)
+
+        # Windows only supports S_IREAD and S_IWRITE, other flags are ignored
+        os.chmod(self.file_path_yml, self._mode)
+
 
     def _build_block_n_from_flow_graph_io(self):
         """
-        Generate a block XML nested data from the flow graph IO
+        Generate a block YML nested data from the flow graph IO
 
         Returns:
-            a xml node tree
+            a yml node tree
         """
         # Extract info from the flow graph
         block_id = self._flow_graph.get_option('id')
@@ -63,6 +81,7 @@ class CppHierBlockGenerator(CppTopBlockGenerator):
             self._flow_graph.get_option('id').replace('_', ' ').title()
         )
         data['category'] = self._flow_graph.get_option('category')
+        data['flags'] = [ 'cpp' ]
 
         # Parameters
         data['parameters'] = []
@@ -70,8 +89,8 @@ class CppHierBlockGenerator(CppTopBlockGenerator):
             p = collections.OrderedDict()
             p['id'] = param_block.name
             p['label'] = param_block.params['label'].get_value() or param_block.name
-            p['dtype'] = 'raw'
-            p['value'] = param_block.params['value'].get_value()
+            p['dtype'] = param_block.params['value'].dtype
+            p['default'] = param_block.params['value'].get_value()
             p['hide'] = param_block.params['hide'].get_value()
             data['param'].append(p)
 
@@ -82,7 +101,7 @@ class CppHierBlockGenerator(CppTopBlockGenerator):
                 p = collections.OrderedDict()
                 if port.domain == Constants.GR_MESSAGE_DOMAIN:
                     p['id'] = port.id
-                #p['label'] = port.label
+                p['label'] = port.parent.params['label'].value
                 if port.domain != Constants.DEFAULT_DOMAIN:
                     p['domain'] = port.domain
                 p['dtype'] = port.dtype
@@ -106,22 +125,46 @@ class CppHierBlockGenerator(CppTopBlockGenerator):
             )
         else:
             t['make'] = '{cls}()'.format(cls=block_id)
+
         # Callback data
-        t['callback'] = [
+        t['callbacks'] = [
             'set_{key}(${key})'.format(key=param_block.name) for param_block in parameters
         ]
 
+        t_cpp = data['cpp_templates'] = collections.OrderedDict()
+
+        t_cpp['includes'] = []
+        t_cpp['includes'].append('#include "{id}/{id}.hpp"'.format(id=self._flow_graph.get_option('id')))
+
+        # Make data
+        if parameters:
+            t_cpp['make'] = '{cls}(\n    {kwargs},\n)'.format(
+                cls=block_id,
+                kwargs=',\n    '.join(
+                    '{key}=${key}'.format(key=param.name) for param in parameters
+                ),
+            )
+        else:
+            t_cpp['make'] = 'this->${{id}} = {cls}_sptr(make_{cls}());'.format(cls=block_id)
+            t_cpp['declarations'] = '{cls}_sptr ${{id}};'.format(cls=block_id)
+
+        # Callback data
+        t_cpp['callbacks'] = [
+            'set_{key}(${key})'.format(key=param_block.name) for param_block in parameters
+        ]
 
         # Documentation
-        data['doc'] = "\n".join(field for field in (
+        data['documentation'] = "\n".join(field for field in (
             self._flow_graph.get_option('author'),
             self._flow_graph.get_option('description'),
             self.file_path
         ) if field)
+
         data['grc_source'] = str(self._flow_graph.grc_file_path)
 
-        n = {'block': data}
-        return n
+        data['file_format'] = 1
+
+        return data
 
 
 class CppQtHierBlockGenerator(CppHierBlockGenerator):
@@ -163,34 +206,8 @@ def get_hier_block_io(flow_graph, direction, domain=None):
     """
     pads = flow_graph.get_pad_sources() if direction == 'inputs' else flow_graph.get_pad_sinks()
 
-    ports = []
     for pad in pads:
         for port in (pad.sources if direction == 'inputs' else pad.sinks):
             if domain and port.domain != domain:
                 continue
             yield port
-
-        type_param = pad.params['type']
-        master = {
-            'label': str(pad.params['label'].get_evaluated()),
-            'type': str(pad.params['type'].get_evaluated()),
-            'vlen': str(pad.params['vlen'].get_value()),
-            'size':  type_param.options.attributes[type_param.get_value()]['size'],
-            'optional': bool(pad.params['optional'].get_evaluated()),
-        }
-
-        if domain and pad:
-            num_ports = pad.params['num_streams'].get_evaluated()
-            if num_ports <= 1:
-                yield master
-            else:
-                for i in range(num_ports):
-                    clone = master.copy()
-                    clone['label'] += str(i)
-                    ports.append(clone)
-        else:
-            ports.append(master)
-
-    if domain is not None:
-        ports = [p for p in ports if p.domain == domain]
-        yield ports  # TODO: Not sure this fix is correct
diff --git a/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/CMakeLists.txt.mako b/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/CMakeLists.txt.mako
index de91f1c6fa..783ba71213 100644
--- a/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/CMakeLists.txt.mako
+++ b/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/CMakeLists.txt.mako
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class_name = flow_graph.get_option('id')
 cmake_opt_list = flow_graph.get_option('cmake_opt').split(";")
 %>\
 
-cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.8) # Which version?
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.8)
 
 % if generate_options == 'qt_gui':
 find_package(Qt5Widgets REQUIRED)
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ include_directories(
     % if generate_options == 'qt_gui':
     ${'$'}{Qt5Widgets_INCLUDES}
     % endif
+    $ENV{HOME}/.grc_gnuradio
 )
 
 % if generate_options == 'qt_gui':
diff --git a/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/flow_graph.cpp.mako b/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/flow_graph.cpp.mako
index 51291fb42d..c03e0c1cc2 100644
--- a/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/flow_graph.cpp.mako
+++ b/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/flow_graph.cpp.mako
@@ -29,15 +29,6 @@ param_str_without_types = ", ".join(param.name for param in parameters)
 
 % if generate_options == 'no_gui':
 ${class_name}::${class_name} (${param_str}) {
-% elif generate_options.startswith('hb'):
-## TODO: make_io_sig
-${class_name}::${class_name} (${param_str}) : hier_block2("${title}") {
-% for pad in flow_graph.get_hier_block_message_io('in'):
-    message_port_register_hier_in("${pad['label']}")
-% endfor
-% for pad in flow_graph.get_hier_block_message_io('out'):
-    message_port_register_hier_out("${pad['label']}")
-% endfor
 % elif generate_options == 'qt_gui':
 ${class_name}::${class_name} (${param_str}) : QWidget() {
     this->setWindowTitle("${title}");
@@ -63,9 +54,9 @@ ${class_name}::${class_name} (${param_str}) : QWidget() {
 ## self._lock = threading.RLock()
 % endif
 
-% if not generate_options.startswith('hb'):
+
     this->tb = gr::make_top_block("${title}");
-% endif
+
 
 % if blocks:
 // Blocks:
diff --git a/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/flow_graph.hpp.mako b/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/flow_graph.hpp.mako
index 6aeccd4ffe..7ae119c44e 100644
--- a/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/flow_graph.hpp.mako
+++ b/grc/core/generator/cpp_templates/flow_graph.hpp.mako
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <%def name="indent(code)">${ '    ' + '\n    '.join(str(code).splitlines()) }</%def>\
+<%def name="doubleindent(code)">${ '\n        '.join(str(code).splitlines()) }</%def>\
 #ifndef ${flow_graph.get_option('id').upper()}_HPP
 #define ${flow_graph.get_option('id').upper()}_HPP
 /********************
@@ -41,6 +42,11 @@ class_name = flow_graph.get_option('id') + ('_' if flow_graph.get_option('id') =
 param_str = ", ".join((param.vtype + " " + param.name) for param in parameters)
 %>\
 
+% if generate_options.startswith('hb'):
+class ${class_name};
+typedef boost::shared_ptr<${class_name}> ${class_name}_sptr;
+${class_name}_sptr make_${class_name}();
+% endif
 
 % if generate_options == 'no_gui':
 class ${class_name} {
@@ -84,7 +90,7 @@ ${indent(declarations)}
 
 public:
 % if not generate_options.startswith('hb'):
-    gr::top_block_sptr tb;
+    top_block_sptr tb;
 % endif
 	${class_name}(${param_str});
 	~${class_name}();
@@ -95,4 +101,93 @@ public:
 % endfor
 
 };
+
+
+% if generate_options.startswith('hb'):
+<% in_sigs = flow_graph.get_hier_block_stream_io('in') %>
+<% out_sigs = flow_graph.get_hier_block_stream_io('out') %>
+
+<%def name="make_io_sig(io_sigs)">\
+    <% size_strs = [ '%s*%s'%(io_sig['cpp_size'], io_sig['vlen']) for io_sig in io_sigs] %>\
+    % if len(io_sigs) == 0:
+    gr::io_signature::make(0, 0, 0)\
+    % elif len(io_sigs) == 1:
+    gr::io_signature::make(1, 1, ${size_strs[0]})\
+    % else:
+    gr::io_signaturev(${len(io_sigs)}, ${len(io_sigs)}, [${', '.join(size_strs)}])\
+    % endif
+</%def>\
+
+${class_name}::${class_name} (${param_str}) : hier_block2("${title}",
+        ${make_io_sig(in_sigs)},
+        ${make_io_sig(out_sigs)}
+        ) {
+% for pad in flow_graph.get_hier_block_message_io('in'):
+    message_port_register_hier_in("${pad['label']}")
+% endfor
+% for pad in flow_graph.get_hier_block_message_io('out'):
+    message_port_register_hier_out("${pad['label']}")
+% endfor
+
+% if flow_graph.get_option('thread_safe_setters'):
+## self._lock = threading.RLock()
+% endif
+
+% if blocks:
+// Blocks:
+% for blk, blk_make, declarations in blocks:
+    {
+        ${doubleindent(blk_make)}
+##      % if 'alias' in blk.params and blk.params['alias'].get_evaluated():
+##      ${blk.name}.set_block_alias("${blk.params['alias'].get_evaluated()}")
+##      % endif
+##      % if 'affinity' in blk.params and blk.params['affinity'].get_evaluated():
+##      ${blk.name}.set_processor_affinity("${blk.params['affinity'].get_evaluated()}")
+##      % endif
+##      % if len(blk.sources) > 0 and 'minoutbuf' in blk.params and int(blk.params['minoutbuf'].get_evaluated()) > 0:
+##      ${blk.name}.set_min_output_buffer(${blk.params['minoutbuf'].get_evaluated()})
+##      % endif
+##      % if len(blk.sources) > 0 and 'maxoutbuf' in blk.params and int(blk.params['maxoutbuf'].get_evaluated()) > 0:
+##      ${blk.name}.set_max_output_buffer(${blk.params['maxoutbuf'].get_evaluated()})
+##      % endif
+    }
+% endfor
+% endif
+
+% if connections:
+// Connections:
+% for connection in connections:
+    ${connection.rstrip()};
+% endfor
+% endif
+}
+${class_name}::~${class_name} () {
+}
+
+// Callbacks:
+% for var in parameters + variables:
+${var.vtype} ${class_name}::get_${var.name} () const {
+    return this->${var.name};
+}
+
+void ${class_name}::set_${var.name} (${var.vtype} ${var.name}) {
+% if flow_graph.get_option('thread_safe_setters'):
+    ## with self._lock:
+    return;
+% else:
+    this->${var.name} = ${var.name};
+    % for callback in callbacks[var.name]:
+    ${callback};
+    % endfor
+% endif
+}
+
+% endfor
+${class_name}_sptr
+make_${class_name}()
+{
+    return gnuradio::get_initial_sptr(new ${class_name}());
+}
+% endif
 #endif
+
diff --git a/grc/core/generator/cpp_top_block.py b/grc/core/generator/cpp_top_block.py
index aeae2fbb23..9622ad93ce 100644
--- a/grc/core/generator/cpp_top_block.py
+++ b/grc/core/generator/cpp_top_block.py
@@ -72,22 +72,26 @@ class CppTopBlockGenerator(TopBlockGenerator):
             'generated_time': time.ctime(),
         }
 
-        if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(self.file_path, 'build')):
-            os.makedirs(os.path.join(self.file_path, 'build'))
+        if not os.path.exists(self.file_path):
+            os.makedirs(self.file_path)
 
         for filename, data in self._build_cpp_header_code_from_template():
             with codecs.open(filename, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
                 fp.write(data)
 
-        for filename, data in self._build_cpp_source_code_from_template():
-            with codecs.open(filename, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
-                fp.write(data)
+        if not self._generate_options.startswith('hb'):
+            if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(self.file_path, 'build')):
+                os.makedirs(os.path.join(self.file_path, 'build'))
 
-        if fg.get_option('gen_cmake') == 'On':
-            for filename, data in self._build_cmake_code_from_template():
+            for filename, data in self._build_cpp_source_code_from_template():
                 with codecs.open(filename, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
                     fp.write(data)
 
+            if fg.get_option('gen_cmake') == 'On':
+                for filename, data in self._build_cmake_code_from_template():
+                    with codecs.open(filename, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
+                        fp.write(data)
+
     def _build_cpp_source_code_from_template(self):
         """
         Convert the flow graph to a C++ source file.
@@ -289,9 +293,8 @@ class CppTopBlockGenerator(TopBlockGenerator):
                      for key, text in fg.parent_platform.cpp_connection_templates.items()}
 
         def make_port_sig(port):
-            # TODO: make sense of this
             if port.parent.key in ('pad_source', 'pad_sink'):
-                block = 'self'
+                block = 'self()'
                 key = fg.get_pad_port_global_key(port)
             else:
                 block = 'this->' + port.parent_block.name
@@ -351,7 +354,8 @@ class CppTopBlockGenerator(TopBlockGenerator):
         for con in sorted(connections, key=by_domain_and_blocks):
             template = templates[con.type]
             code = template.render(make_port_sig=make_port_sig, source=con.source_port, sink=con.sink_port)
-            code = 'this->tb->' + code
+            if not self._generate_options.startswith('hb'):
+                code = 'this->tb->' + code
             rendered.append(code)
 
         return rendered
diff --git a/grc/core/generator/top_block.py b/grc/core/generator/top_block.py
index f2b485d641..cab1bf71cb 100644
--- a/grc/core/generator/top_block.py
+++ b/grc/core/generator/top_block.py
@@ -266,9 +266,6 @@ class TopBlockGenerator(object):
             # Remove the virtual connection
             connections.remove(connection)
 
-        for connection in virtual_sink_connections:
-            connections.remove(connection)
-
         # Bypassing blocks: Need to find all the enabled connections for the block using
         # the *connections* object rather than get_connections(). Create new connections
         # that bypass the selected block and remove the existing ones. This allows adjacent
diff --git a/grc/core/platform.py b/grc/core/platform.py
index 5449a117ad..88bc941495 100644
--- a/grc/core/platform.py
+++ b/grc/core/platform.py
@@ -366,10 +366,7 @@ class Platform(Element):
             ('metadata:\n', '\nmetadata:\n'),
         ]
         for r in replace:
-            # the purpose of using re.sub() here is to avoid corrupting the .grc file
-            out = re.sub(r'(nconnections)(?<!\\)', 'NCONNECTIONS', out)
             out = out.replace(*r)
-            out = re.sub(r'(NCONNECTIONS)(?<!\\)', 'nconnections', out)
 
         with open(filename, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as fp:
             fp.write(out)