n (Logic) an uninterpreted symbolic system whose syntax is precisely defined, and on which a relation of deducibility is defined in purely syntactic terms; a logistic system, (Also called) formal theory, formal calculus Compare â formal language. 1  English Collins Dictionary - English Definition & Thesaurus.
ASM metadata is stored in disk groups â in metadata blocks. Some ASM metadata is at the fixed position in every ASM disk, and is referred to as physically addressed metadata. Other ASM metadata is organised in files (directories) and is referred to as virtually addressed metadata.
A disk group consists of multiple disks and is the fundamental object that ASM manages. Each disk group contains the metadata that is required for the management of space in the disk group. Files are allocated from disk groups. Any ASM file is completely contained within a single disk group.