noun for "something to use/give if no other match"

Question

If you cannot find what you looking for use/give this instead. What do you call this?

"paper" is the _____

Paper is the fallback or the alternative or the last resort. — Xanne, Commented Jun 13, 2017 at 8:49
Are you using 'this' and 'xxx' as the same thing? Is it a default value? — Yosef Baskin, Commented Jun 13, 2017 at 11:11
In 1-3, you seem to be trying to give people something other than what they asked for. What's the rule you're using? — Lawrence, Commented Jun 13, 2017 at 11:35
@Lawrence rule 1-3 is arbitrary. Basically if no rule are matched, it will yield the ____ — dna01, Commented Jun 14, 2017 at 7:22

Flater · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-13 11:50:16Z

1

Default

A preselected option adopted by a computer program or other mechanism when no alternative is specified by the user or programmer.

It's often used in programming, but the same applies outside of IT.

Paper is the default option.

edit

Paper is the default.

You can use it as a noun too.

answered Jun 13, 2017 at 11:13

Flater

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"default" implies that the "user" have not specify. this one should imply that it will be used if specified option is not available
– dna01
Commented Jun 14, 2017 at 7:30
@dna01 "Default" can be used in both the case of an unspecified option, or an option that is explicitly requested but unavailable. "We will default to serving vanilla ice cream if you order a flavor that we do not have".
– Flater
Commented Jun 21, 2017 at 7:32

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