By controlling the spectral amplitude, phase and polarization of the femtosecond laser pulse in the frequency domain, a shaped femtosecond laser pulse with almost arbitrary pulse shape in time domain can be obtained, and this femtosecond laser pulse shaping technique provides a new experimental tool to study the nonlinear interaction between light and atoms or molecules. In this paper, we introduce the development history, technical method, control technique and relevant applications of the femtosecond laser pulse shaping technique, and also carry out a prospect on the research trends of this technique.