Asterisk is a symbol (*) commonly used in writing and computing. It serves various purposes, such as indicating footnotes, denoting multiplication in mathematics, or highlighting omitted information. In programming, it can represent pointers or wildcards, depending on the context. In telecommunications, Asterisk is also the name of an open-source software framework that enables the creation of communication applications. It allows users to build systems for voice over IP (VoIP), conference calling, and interactive voice response (IVR). This flexibility makes it popular among developers and businesses looking to customize their communication solutions.