by default, the join is by index.
var data = [
{name: "Alice", x: 10.0, y: 9.14},
{name: "Bob", x: 8.0, y: 8.14},
{name: "Carol", x: 13.0, y: 8.74},
{name: "Dave", x: 9.0, y: 8.77},
{name: "Edith", x: 11.0, y: 9.26},
If needed, data should have a unique key for joining.
function key(d) { return d.name; }
var circle = svg.selectAll("circle");
.data(data, key)
.attr("cx", x)
.attr("cy", y)
.attr("r", 2.5);