[joncrocks]

Asymmetric encryption is generally synonymous with public key cryptography[1], as there are few processes which are asymmetric and useful.

In terms of definitions, with an asymmetric system, knowing the key with which something was encoded doesn't allow you to decrypt it.

With symmetric cryptography, if you know the key, you can decode whatever was encrypted.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-key_cryptography

[spoiler]

I don't think that asked what it is. Probably meant which rather than what.

[jraedisch]

Yes, that's what I meant, thanks!

I edited the parent for clarity.