Linear nanotubular boron-carbon heterojunctions are systematically constructed and studied with the help of ab initio total energy calculations. The structural compatibility of the two classes of materials is shown, and a simple recipe that determines all types of stable linear junctions is illustrated in some detail. Our results also suggest the compatibility of various technologically interesting types of nanotubular materials, leading to different types of nanotubular compound materials, and pointing out the possibility of wiring nanotubular devices within heterogeneous nanotubular networks. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.