Retrieving dtmf, passing to shell and getting the result

[jreeder]

I have my asterisk server up and running on OS X and now need to add the capability to play a sound file asking for a 5 digit number, play another message asking for a 2 digit number, pass these variables to a shell script, and get the result. I have tried a number of different scenarios but they are not working. I have read through the wiki, past posts, and numerous websites. In my latest variation when I dial extension 2 it immediately goes busy. At the console I get an error
==Spawn extension(default, 2, 2) exited non-zero on SIP/-00816800

exten => 2,2,read (firstnumber,enter-first,5)
exten => 2,3,read (secondnumber,enter-second,2)
exten => 2,4,system(/usr/local/Scripts/CheckNumbers.sh ${firstnumber} ${secondnumber})

[chandave]

- Make sure you answer() the call first before trying to read(). I can't remember if read() would automatically answer() the call before attempting to read(). But an explicit answer() would ensure that the channels are all established and bridged.
- Try using using Vertical Bars ('|') instead of commas when separating the parameters of the read(). Vertical Bars are actually the proper parameter separator for Asterisk. The use of commas as a parameter separator is just semantic sugar that sometimes turns to molasses and gums up the parser. Try NoOp("this is , a test") and you'll see what I mean.
- Try sticking some NoOp()'s before the read(). I've noticed that Asterisk has some timing issues when trying to play sound files especially if it has to do Codec conversion (GSM<->uLaw/aLaw). Sticking in the NoOp()'s seems to help give it enough time to sync up the execution engine with the RTP streams.

[mberlant]

Also, you need to establish the environment for listening for digits with the two exten commands DigitTimeout,5
and ResponseTimeout,10 before the read command.