Classes closed under isomorphisms, retractions, and products (Q2366151)

Let \({\mathcal A}\) be a structure (a set equipped with operations and relations). A substructure \({\mathcal B}\leq {\mathcal A}\) is a retract of \({\mathcal A}\) if there is a homomorphism \(\varphi: {\mathcal A}\to {\mathcal B}\) which fixes every element of \({\mathcal B}\); \(\varphi\) is a retraction. In this paper we discuss the syntax of classes of structures closed under the formation of isomorphic images, retracts, and direct products; that is, classes \({\mathcal K}\) such that \({\mathcal K}= IRP({\mathcal K})\), where \(I\), \(R\), and \(P\) are the corresponding class operators. We call such a class a retract species or species. We will define other kinds of species along the way.