Definition
Suppose C is a small category (i.e. the objects and morphisms form a set rather than a proper class) and D is an arbitrary category. The category of functors from C to D, written as Fun(C, D), Funct(C,D) or DC, has as objects the covariant functors from C to D, and as morphisms the natural transformations between such functors. Note that natural transformations can be composed: if μ(X) : F(X) → G(X) is a natural transformation from the functor F : C → D to the functor G : C → D, and η(X) : G(X) → H(X) is a natural transformation from the functor G to the functor H, then the collection η(X)μ(X) : F(X) → H(X) defines a natural transformation from F to H. With this composition of natural transformations (known as vertical composition, see natural transformation), DC satisfies the axioms of a category.
In a completely analogous way, one can also consider the category of all contravariant functors from C to D; we write this as Funct(Cop,D).
If C and D are both preadditive categories (i.e. their morphism sets are abelian groups and the composition of morphisms is bilinear), then we can consider the category of all additive functors from C to D, denoted by Add(C,D).
Read more about this topic: Functor Category
Famous quotes containing the word definition:
“The physicians say, they are not materialists; but they are:MSpirit is matter reduced to an extreme thinness: O so thin!But the definition of spiritual should be, that which is its own evidence. What notions do they attach to love! what to religion! One would not willingly pronounce these words in their hearing, and give them the occasion to profane them.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (18031882)
“Although there is no universal agreement as to a definition of life, its biological manifestations are generally considered to be organization, metabolism, growth, irritability, adaptation, and reproduction.”
—The Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition, the first sentence of the article on life (based on wording in the First Edition, 1935)
“Perhaps the best definition of progress would be the continuing efforts of men and women to narrow the gap between the convenience of the powers that be and the unwritten charter.”
—Nadine Gordimer (b. 1923)