Django change user models minimum length

Using Django
1

Hello, in my project, I want to change the minimum length of the username field on the built in user model.

To do this, should I inherit from the AbstractUser, and override the username property to have the minimum length I need, or should I inherit from the AbstractBaseUser class? Which method is best to accomplish this? Thanks.

2

Hi

Model fields don’t have a minimum length. This is a form-only property. I think you should be able to get away with changing just form fields to add this minimum length through a MinLengthValidator.

Thanks,

Adam

1 Like
3

Hi. So your saying you don’t have to specify any min/max length validators on the model fields, but the forms ?

What about if someone bypasses the form, and tries to insert data straight into the database, and they are able to specify a user with username of length 1 for example.

Does Django have anything in place to cover this possibility?

4

You can add a CheckConstraint for the field in that case, for example, here’s a Book with a title whose length is at least 1 character:

from django.db import models
from django.db.models.functions import Length

# Register __length transform as per Length documentation
models.CharField.register_lookup(Length)


class Book(models.Model):
    title = models.CharField(max_length=200)

    class Meta:
        constraints = [
            models.CheckConstraint(
                check=models.Q(title__length__gte=1),
                name="%(app_label)s_%(class)s_title_length",
            )
        ]
2 Likes
5

Great, thank you, this helps a lot.

6

Hi Adam,
conceptually, what’s the difference between CheckConstraint and a Validator? What’s the use case for each?
Sorry if this is off topic.

7

CheckConstraint - in the database
Validator - in forms

1 Like
8

Quick and effective.
Thanks!