question

I just learned that you can have an optional 'reverse' or callback binding via:

scope: { parentScopeFunc: '&?' }

I'm trying to see if there is a way to do something similar with the 2-way binding.

scope: { optional2WayBoundProp: '=?' }

I tried with the link function's element & attrs params but then I lose the 2-way-binding back to the parent. That method only allows for parent-to-child updates. Then I might as well just be using @ scope mechanism.

edit

I found this question Angular JS directive, change a 2 way data binding in the link function so that answers the main question regarding =?. However it doesn't solve the 'optional' non-bound value such as true or false.

goals

Here's what I'm trying to accomplish:

• write a panel directive that transcludes content and is collapsible aside from the header area:
  <my-panel> <transcluded-header-content/> <button ng-click="toggleCollapse()"/> <transcluded-body-content ng-if="isExpanded"/> </my-panel>

• in some cases I want to cache the collapsed state of the panel instance in a parent scope (hence the 2-way binding where the view's controller can determine how to cache this info):
  
  <my-panel is-expanded="parentScopeProp">

• in other cases, I may just want to declare it without binding to a parent scope property OR I may just not declare it at all in which case it assumes it's expanded.
  
  <my-panel is-expanded="true/false">

I understand that by using the = assignment, that expressions like undefined, true & false cannot be evaluated.