Functor

:For functors in computer science, see the function object article.

Related Topics:
Computer science - Function object

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In category theory, a functor is a special type of mapping between categories. Functors can be thought of as morphisms in the category of small categories.

Related Topics:
Category theory - Morphism - Category of small categories

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Functors were first considered in algebraic topology, where algebraic objects (like the fundamental group) are associated to topological spaces, and algebraic homomorphisms are associated to continuous maps. Nowadays, functors are used throughout modern mathematics to relate various categories.

Related Topics:
Algebraic topology - Fundamental group - Topological space - Homomorphism - Continuous

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