Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive review of both the theory and
experimental successes of Quantum Chromodynamics, starting with its emergence
as a well defined theory in 1972-73 and following developments and results up
to the present day. Topics include a review of the earliest theoretical and
experimental foundations; the fundamental constants of QCD; an introductory
discussion of lattice QCD, the only known method for obtaining exact
predictions from QCD; methods for approximating QCD, with special focus on
effective field theories; QCD under extreme conditions; measurements and
predictions of meson and baryon states; a special discussion of the structure
of the nucleon; techniques for study of QCD at high energy, including treatment
of jets and showers; measurements at colliders; weak decays and quark mixing;
and a section on the future, which discusses new experimental facilities or
upgrades currently funded. The paper is intended to provide a broad background
for Ph.D. students and postdocs starting their career. Some contributions
include personal accounts of how the ideas or experiments were developed.
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