C-T-R mode is short for "\[http://incubator.apache.org/learn/glossary.html#CommitThenReview Commit-then-Review\]".  This is the standard development mode that we are in.  It means that developers may commit patches to the development tree without the code/rules/etc being reviewed by other developers first.  Typically HEAD/trunk is in C-T-R mode until a new release is approaching.  We then switch to R-T-C mode (see below) for the final development up to release.

The patch is then \[http://incubator.apache.org/learn/voting.html voted\] upon, and if it gets a \[http://incubator.apache.org/learn/glossary.html#ConsensusApproval consensus approval\] and is not \[http://incubator.apache.org/learn/glossary.html#Veto vetoed\], can be applied to the tree.  Votes should generally be permitted to run for at least 24 hours to provide an opportunity for all concerned persons to participate regardless of their geographic locations. "Consensus approval" refers to a vote which has completed with at least three binding +1 votes and no -1 vetos. The author of a patch is allowed to vote as long as they're a committer.