CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION-SYSTEMS

An abstract notion of "information category" (I-category) is introduced as a generalization of Scott's well-known category of information systems. The proposed axioms introduce a global partial order on the morphisms of the category, making them an omega-algebraic cpo. An initial algebra theorem for a class of endofunctors continuous on the cpo of morphisms is proved, thus giving canonical solution of domain equations. An effective version of these results, in the general setting, is also provided. Some basic examples of categories of information systems are dealt with.