The determination of the CKM matrix

A general discussion of the Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa (CKM) matrix is given and the importance stressed of determining the matrix elements as an essential part of understanding CP violation in and beyond the Standard Model. The status of knowledge of the matrix elements connecting the first and second generation quarks is reviewed. A perspective on determinations of the full CKM matrix is presented as an introduction to the separate contributions to the panel discussion that follows.