Singular cochain ($C^n(X;A)$)

A singular $n$-cochain with coefficients in an abelian group $A$ is a homomorphism from the singular chain group $C_n(X;\mathbb{Z})$ to $A$. It is specified by its values on all singular simplices, without a finite-support restriction. Its coboundary evaluates on the alternating sum of the faces. The resulting cochain complex computes singular cohomology.

For a continuous map $f:X\to Y$, precomposition with the induced map on singular chains sends a singular cochain on $Y$ to one on $X$. It commutes with the coboundary and induces the induced map on cohomology.