> 
> **Possible Duplicate:**  
> 
> [C# ?? operator in Ruby?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/953216/c-operator-in-ruby) 
> 
> 
> 

Is there a Ruby operator that does the same thing as C#'s **??** operator?

> 
> The **??** operator returns the left-hand
>  operand if it is not null, or else it
>  returns the right operand.
> 
> 
> 

from <http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms173224.aspx>