title: Google Analytics - Understanding and Dissecting the Snippet: What is | | [ ];
body: <p>So I'm an analyst and, while my job does not require I know Javascript it'd sure help. I'd like to understand fuller the Google Analytics snippet.</p>
  
  <p>I'm looking at a Google Analytics Snippet:</p>
  
  <pre><code>var _gaq = _gaq || [];
    _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-xxxxxxxx-1']);
    _gaq.push(['_setDomainName', 'example.com']);
    _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>According to W3 Schools gaq is an object, in this instance it appears to be an array. The first value in the array is gaq.push set account. Fine.</p>
  
  <p>But what are the "|| [ ];" on the first line?</p>