svg = d3.select("#viz").append("svg").datum(data)

//I often see .datum when an area chart is used. Are there any rules of thumb for when .datum is needed?

var area = d3.svg.area()  
    .x(function(d) { return x(d.x); })  
    .y0(height)  
    .y1(function(d) { return y(d.y); });  

var svg = d3.select("body").append("svg")  
    .attr("width", width)  
    .attr("height", height);  

svg.append("path") 
    .datum(data)
    .attr("d", area);