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Python Flask REST API API Protection Hashing Users

Posted by ishakahmed
ishakahmed
11,359 Points

(5:12) Why do we have to say user.set_password(password)?

Why does kenneth type user.set_password(password) if set_password is a static method? Can't he say set_password(password). Or is he specifying 'user' because the interpreter needs to know where to look for the method?

1 Answer

Josh Keenan
Josh Keenan
19,652 Points
Josh Keenan
Josh Keenan
19,652 Points

It is calling it on this instance of user, or the user currently setting their password. It is setting the password for this given user as the request comes in.

ishakahmed
ishakahmed
11,359 Points

Couldn't he just say HASHER.hash(password). I don't see why he created a static method for it. Unless he wants to hash a password more than once in the User model.

Josh Keenan
Josh Keenan
19,652 Points
Josh Keenan
Josh Keenan
19,652 Points

Because you are doing it on an actual user, you have defined a set_password method, you need to use it to set the password for this user. Hashing is just encrypting the password, it isn't setting one. This is how a user can create, and save their password, and each user needs it so we need to call it when they ask to call it, we can't just have it in the DB and just hashing random stuff, hope this helps.