apleroy / alexaskillsproject

Alexa Skill built using .NET 4.5 / C# layered web api, Entity Framework 6, Unity DI/IoC - used to get common SAT verbal grammar words and their definitions and examples.

Project README

This project is an Alexa Skill application called "Grammar Tool".

Tech Stack

• It is built as a layered .NET/C# application, with tiers for web app & web api, service layer, repo layer, and domain specifics.

• The project stack is .NET 4.5, Entity Framework 6, and Unity for Dependnecy Injection and Inversion of Control. The project is hosted on Microsoft Azure.

• The AlexaSkillProject.WebApp project hosts the web app and web api.

• The initial entry point for the Alexa Skill is in the AlexaController at [HttpPost, Route("api/v1/alexa/grammartool")]

• The Alexa skill uses the service layer (AlexaSkillProject.Services) to validate the request, map and persist the request (Azure SQL Server), and deliver an appropriate response.

• The Pearsons Dictionary API is used to retireve a Part of Speech, Definition, and Example for any given word (and the result is stored locally). (http://developer.pearson.com/apis/dictionaries)

• Unity Inversion of Control Container is used for Dependency Injection (AlexaSkillProject.WebApp > App_Start > WebApiConfig)

About the Alexa Skill

• Invoke the Skill by saying "Alexa, Open Grammar Tool".

• Ask for the Word of the Day: "What is the Word of The Day?"

• Alexa will give a word of the day, its part of speech, definition, and an example. Alexa will then prompt the user to repeat the word.

• Alexa will continue with additional words with "Get Another Word".

• One shot request: "Alexa, Ask Grammar Tool what is the Word of The Day?""

About the Web App

• www.grammartoolapp.com (in progress)