Handbook of Categorical Algebra: Volume 1, Basic Category Theory (Encyclopedia of Mathematics and its Applications, Series Number 50)

A Handbook of Categorical Algebra is designed to give, in three volumes, a detailed account of what should be known by everybody working in, or using, category theory. As such it will be a unique reference. The volumes are written in sequence, with the first being essentially self-contained, and are accessible to graduate students with a good background in mathematics. Volume 1, which is devoted to general concepts, can be used for advanced undergraduate courses on category theory. After introducing the terminology and proving the fundamental results concerning limits, adjoint functors and Kan extensions, the categories of fractions are studied in detail; special consideration is paid to the case of localizations. The remainder of the first volume studies various 'refinements' of the fundamental concepts of category and functor A Handbook of Categorical Algebra, in three volumes, is a detailed account of everything a mathematician needs to know about category theory. Each volume is self-contained and is accessible to graduate students with a good background in mathematics. Volume 1 is devoted to general concepts. After introducing the terminology and proving the fundamental results concerning limits, adjoint functors and Kan extensions, the categories of fractions are studied in detail; special consideration is paid to the case of localizations. The remainder of the first volume studies various "refinements" of the fundamental concepts of category and functor. The Handbook of Categorical Algebra is designed to give, in three volumes, a detailed account of what should be known by everybody working in, or using, category theory. As such it will be a unique reference. The volumes are written in sequence, with the first being essentially self-contained, and are accessible to graduate students with a good background in mathematics. In particular, Volume 1, which is devoted to general concepts, can be used for advanced undergraduate courses on category theory. The Handbook of Categorical Algebra is designed to give, in three volumes, a detailed account of what should be known by everybody working in, or using, category theory. As such it will be a unique reference. The volumes are written in sequence. The second introduces important classes of categories that have played a fundamental role in the subject's development and applications.