If the idea is to keep the intent clear, the or statement is a much better choice, even if less familiar. "I want to set param to the object property or the de

If the idea is to keep the intent clear, the or statement is a much better choice, even if less familiar. "I want to set param to the object property or the default" is much clearer than "I want to check if if I have an object property and if I do then I'll set the param to the object property otherwise I'll set the param to the default" That is just mixing in a lot of noise about how you do it instead of just what you are doing.