[[!redirects functors]] ## Definition ## Let $A$ and $B$ be [[precategories]]. A **functor** $F : A \to B$ consists of * A function $F_0 : A_0 \to B_0$ * For each $a,b:A$, a function $F_{a,b}:hom_A(a,b) \to hom_B(F a,F b)$, generally also denoted $F$. * For each $a:A$, we have $F(1_a)=1_{F a}$. * For each $a,b,c: A$ and $f:hom_A(a,b)$ amd $g:hom_A(b,c)$, we have $$F(g \circ f) = F g \circ F f$$ ## Properties ## By induction on [[identity]], a functor also preserves $idtoiso$ (See [[precategory]]). ### Composition of functors ### For functors $F:A\to B$ and $G:B \to C$, their composite $G \circ F : A \to C$ is given by * The composite $(G_0 \circ F_0): A_0 \to C_0$ * For each $a,b:A$, the composite $$(G_{F a, F b} \circ F_{a,b}):hom_A(a,b)\to hom_C(G F a, G F b)$$ ### Lemma 9.2.9 ### Composition of functors is associative $H(G F)=(H G)F$. **Proof:** Since composition of functions is associative, this follows immediately for the actions on objects and on homs. And since hom-sets are sets, the rest of the data is automatic. $\square$ ### Lemma 9.2.10 ## Lemma 9.2.9 is coherent, i.e. the following pentagon of equalities commutes: $$ \array{ && (K H)(G F) \\ & \nearrow && \searrow \\ ((K H) G) F && && K (H (G F)) \\ \downarrow && && \uparrow \\ (K(H G)) F && \longrightarrow && K( (H G) F) } $$ ## See also ## [[Category theory]] [[natural transformation]] [[full functor]] [[faithful functor]] ## References ## [[HoTT Book]] category: category theory