# Asymptote FAQ - Section 1
About Asymptote

- Q1.1. What is Asymptote?
- Q1.2. How do I obtain Asymptote?
- Q1.3. Where can I ask questions about Asymptote?
- Q1.4. Why was the name Asymptote chosen?
- Q1.5. In the internal Asymptote source code, what does the name `camp` refer to?

## Question 1.1. What is Asymptote?

Asymptote is a vector graphics language designed for technical graphics, inspired by MetaPost but with IEEE floating-point numerics, native three-dimensional graphics, Grayscale/RGB/CMYK colourspaces, and a C++-like syntax. Unlike MetaPost, it natively supports multiple-segment paths (and hence regions other than simply connected ones), tiling patterns, Gouraud shading, tensor patch shading, and PostScript images.

## Question 1.2. How do I obtain Asymptote?

Binary releases are available for Linux, MacOS X, and Microsoft Windows platforms, in addition to full source code, from the website https://asymptote.sourceforge.io/. Many Linux distributions (such as RedHat and Debian) now include an Asymptote package (check your distribution's documentation for further information about this).

## Question 1.3. Where can I ask questions about Asymptote?

If you have a question, please try to find an answer in this FAQ, in the extensive Asymptote documentation at https://asymptote.sourceforge.io/doc/, or search the forum: http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=409349.

## Question 1.4. Why was the name Asymptote chosen?

Well, it isn't the perfect graphics package, but we do think it is getting there asymptotically...

## Question 1.5. In the internal Asymptote source code, what does the name `camp` refer to?

That was our original tentative name for this project, which stood for "C's Answer to MetaPost" (the language that inspired Asymptote). However, we eventually decided that the name `Asymptote` better emphasizes the mathematical and graphical nature of this language.

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Extracted from Asymptote Frequently Asked Questions, Copyright © 2026 .