Custom User Models in Django: AbstractUser and AbstractBaseUser

Every Django project should implement a custom user model from the start. This approach avoids future issues and allows flexibility in authentication, user fields, and business logic. Two common ways to create a custom user model are: extending "AbstractUser" and using "AbstractBaseUser".

Creating custom user models: Using AbstractUser Model

AbstractUser allows you to extend Django’s default User model while retaining its built-in authentication features. Consider a project named "geeksforgeeks" with an app named "geeks", and add "geeks" to INSTALLED_APPS in settings.py.

Step 1: Define the Model

In geeks/models.py:

• User(AbstractUser): Custom user model extending Django’s AbstractUser.
• email (unique) and phone_number fields added, email used for login (USERNAME_FIELD).
• REQUIRED_FIELDS ensures required fields for superuser, and __str__ returns the email.

Step 2: Update Settings.py

In setting.py:

AUTH_USER_MODEL = 'geeks.User'

Step 3: Admin Registration

In geeks/admin.py:

Step 4: Migrations

python manage.py makemigrations geeks
python manage.py migrate

Step 5: Create Superuser and Test

python manage.py createsuperuser
Email: admin@example.com
Password: ****

Step 6: Run the Server

python manage.py runserver

Visit: "http://127.0.0.1:8000/admin/" to manage users.

Using AbstractBaseUser Model

AbstractBaseUser gives full control over the user model but requires implementing authentication logic, manager classes, and additional fields.

Step 1: Define the Model

In geeks/models.py:

• UserManager handles user creation, validating email, setting passwords, and creating superusers with is_staff and is_superuser.
• User extends "AbstractBaseUser" and "PermissionsMixin" for authentication and permissions.
• Core fields: email (unique, login ID), first_name, last_name, is_active, is_staff.
• USERNAME_FIELD is email, REQUIRED_FIELDS for superuser, and __str__ returns the email.

Step 2: Update Settings.py

In settings.py:

AUTH_USER_MODEL = 'geeks.User'

Step 3: Admin Registration

In geeks/admin.py:

Step 4: Migrations

python manage.py makemigrations geeks
python manage.py migrate

Step 5: Create Superuser and Test

$ python manage.py createsuperuser
Email: admin@example.com
Password: ****

Step 6: Run the Server

$ python manage.py runserver

Visit: "http://127.0.0.1:8000/admin/" to manage users.

AbstractUser Model vs AbstractBaseUser Model