LAUSR

Abstract Local and category-theoretical entropies associated with an endomorphism of finite length (i.e., with zero-dimensional closed fiber) of a commutative Noetherian local ring are compared. Local entropy is shown to be less than or equal to category-theoretical entropy. The two entropies are shown to be equal when the ring is regular, and also for the Frobenius endomorphism of a complete local ring of positive characteristic. Furthermore, given a flat morphism of Cohen–Macaulay local rings endowed with compatible endomorphisms of finite length, it is shown that local entropy is “additive”. Finally, over a ring that is a homomorphic image of a regular local ring, a formula for local entropy in terms of an asymptotic partial Euler characteristic is given.