[asterisk-app-dev] Death to /dial

[Joshua Colp]

David M. Lee wrote:
 > In ARI, there's a convenience operations /channels/{id}/dial[1], which
 > was provided as a simple way to dial and bridge in a single operation.
 > I propose that we KILL IT DEAD. Right now. Before it's too late.

+infinite

 > Firstly, we already have a method for originating new channels: POST
 > /channels. Having two operations that effectively do the same thing is
 > evidence of silliness.
 >
 > Secondly, as we see folks discussing how they think about ARI, it's
 > not really a great fit. People love the idea that they can create
 > their own bridges, and freely move channels into and out of them. The
 > implicit bridge created in the dial operation gets in the way of that.

The /dial operation to me right now is effectively a mini-application 
written into the API itself, which is why it saddens me.

 > There is also a lot of hidden complexity that I believe will get
 > exposed over time. As evidence, I present to you: The Dial dialplan
 > application[2]. The number and combination of options on Dial are
 > dizzying. All the possible scenarios of handling what might happen on
 > the channel you have, the outgoing dial and the bridge combine into a
 > big mess.
 >
 > Dealing with each of these individually in your application, however,
 > is much cleaner. It gives the application developer more control over
 > the process, and simplifies the interface.
 >
 > The one thing that we can think of that would be missing if we removed
 > the /dial operation would be the ability to indicate ringing to the
 > dialing channel. But I heard a rumor that someone might have a patch
 > for this in the works (/me glances at file).

Yup! Currently working on this, along with some other functionality 
which would facilitate things.

 > So, thoughts? If we can provide the underlying originate, bridge and
 > indicate operations that /dial is doing for you, is there any
 > compelling reason to keep it around?

IMO no.

Cheers,

-- 
Joshua Colp
Digium, Inc. | Senior Software Developer
445 Jan Davis Drive NW - Huntsville, AL 35806 - USA
Check us out at:  www.digium.com  & www.asterisk.org