Final answer:
The WORM formula refers to the data storage concept of 'Write Once, Read Many,' ensuring that data is written once and can be read many times without alteration. It is critical for industries needing to maintain unalterable records for compliance purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The WORM formula is a concept from the field of data storage, particularly about types of media and storage technologies that are designed to be written once, and read many (WORM). The term 'WORM' itself is an acronym where 'Write Once' means that the data can be written onto the storage medium only a single time and 'Read Many' suggests that this written data can be read numerous times without any alteration to the data itself. This type of storage is crucial in environments where information must be preserved intact for long periods, such as in legal, medical, financial, and archival institutions.
The usage of WORM systems is governed by various regulations and standards to ensure that data is not modified after it is written. Examples of applications that rely on the WORM formula include compliance record storage, where regulatory requirements demand that certain types of data be non-erasable and non-rewritable for a specific period. Although not a formula in the mathematical sense, the WORM formula is a foundational concept for understanding how certain data storage technology's function, ensuring data integrity and compliance with industry and legal standards.