| Abstract
| - The main properties of pre-main-sequence (PMS) evolution are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the impact of star formation studies. I will first discuss the basic results established by the work of Hayashi, Iben and Cameron in the early '60s. The changes introduced by the constraints set by the previously ignored phase of protostellar evolution will be then addressed. Evolutionary models including a variety of physical effects (accretion, rotation, magnetic field) are presented. Finally, the application of PMS models to reconstruct the star formation histories of clusters and associations will be addressed.
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