Homotopic morphisms and diagram theorems in extriangulated categories

Abstract

Homotopic morphisms of $\mathbb E$-triangles in extriangulated categories are introduced. Any morphism of $\mathbb E$-triangles is a composition of homotopic morphisms. Any morphism $(\alpha_1, \alpha_2, \alpha_3)$ of $\mathbb E$-triangles can be modified to be homotopic, by changing one of $\alpha_i$; moreover, all the 15 cases where $\alpha_i$ is an $\mathbb E$-inflation ($\mathbb E$-deflation) are analyzed. Some diagram theorems, especially $4\times 4$ Lemma and its $14$ variants, including $3\times 3$ diagram and Horseshoe Lemma, are investigated. A relation between homotopic morphisms and (middling) good morphisms in triangulated categories are given. Weakly idempotent complete extriangulated categories are characterized.