Fallback.
also: fallbacks · fallback value · fallback responseA sensible default returned when a dependency fails or its circuit is open, such as a cached value or a safe score.
the two-minute refresher
- Open circuit + fallback = the user gets something instead of an error.
- Example: fraud check down → return a medium risk score and require extra verification.
- Good fallbacks: cached data, defaults, a queue-for-later path.
- Never fake success where correctness matters, such as a payment.