At the core of ATLAS/ti is an explorative approach to theory-building. With linear textual data, such as transcribed interviews, as a starting point, segmentation and coding (“textual phases”) of the text alternates with the building of conceptual networks and hypertextual structures (“conceptual phase”). The researcher may draw actual “maps,” consisting of boxes and connecting lines, that depict the linkages among concepts as a network. Memos can be written for any entity at any stage in the process. For proceeding to a coherent text-outcome, features like the compilation of text units, and cut & paste operations between different text windows are available. All interaction with the program is through a graphic user interface containing windows, menus and icons, since special emphasis is placed in this program on its “readiness-at-hand.”