title: python || backup statement
body: <p>In Javascript, I can assign a value like this so:</p>
  
  <p><code>var i = p || 4</code></p>
  
  <p>Obviously if p isn't defined it will resort to 4. Is there a more elegant version of this operation in Python than a <code>try:</code> / <code>except:</code> combo?</p>
  
  <pre><code>try:
      i = p
  except:
      i = 4
  </code></pre>