Maxcore is the maximum memory that could be used by a component in its execution..

max core is memory(10 mb) of component, and it sorts the records and it read and writes the file to dist.

It is maximum temporary scratchpad memory allowed for execution of a in-memory component/per partition.

Every component in Ab initio has a memory of 7MB (anybody correct me if I'm wrong) except a few components like In-Memory components such as join, Rollup, Scan, join with DB etc., which uses an additional memory called Max-Core. This parameter is only available if your data is not explicitly sorted and your component also needs to sort the data besides the processing.This additional memory is also used to store the temporary results.There is no specific fixed value for the max core and each in-memory component has a default max core value like 10MB for sort and 64 MB for join component etc.,

Hope this Helps.

Siva krishna.....