[asterisk-users] application order when you make a call

[Gordon Henderson]

On Fri, 28 Aug 2009, harry R wrote:

> Hi
>
> I have a question about application order when a do a call to a terminal
>
> Do I need to use application in this order ?
> Ringing()
> Answer()
> Dial()
>
> or in this order
> Ringing()
> Dial()
> Answer()
>
> Suddenly I have some doubt. Personally, I usually do it like the first one.

If you're using Asterisk to "bridge" an incoming call to a device (eg. a 
SIP phone), then you just need

   Dial(...

No need to Answer (as that then starts to cost the caller money if calling 
via the PSTN or some PSTN to VoIP bridge to get the call into your Asterik 
box in the first place), and no need to provide Ringing() either as that 
happens from the callers equipment until it's had the signal that the call 
has been answered - which will happen when the device you're Dial()'ing 
answers the call.

You only want asterisk to Answer() the call if asterisk is then doing 
something other than bridging the call to another device - voicemail, 
queue, auto attendant, etc.

And then, I'd suggest you make it obvious to the caller that the call has 
been answered as it's then (potentially) costing them money... But ethics 
vary here!

Gordon