Solving the Invalid Password Format or Unknown Hashing Algorithm Error in Django REST Framework

Learn how to effectively handle the `Invalid password format or unknown hashing algorithm` issue while creating user accounts in Django REST Framework. Discover best practices for password handling and user registration with step-by-step guidance.
---
This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63301574/ asked by the user 'Suryan Boopathy' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/9770609/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63399266/ provided by the user 'shoaibdevs' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/13830192/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: django rest Invalid password format or unknown hashing algorithm

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l...
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license.

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Solving the Invalid Password Format or Unknown Hashing Algorithm Error in Django REST Framework

Creating user accounts in web applications is a fundamental need, but it can often come with its knee problems. One common issue developers face in the Django REST Framework is the error message "Invalid password format or unknown hashing algorithm." This guide aims to uncover the root cause of this problem and provide a comprehensive solution.

Understanding the Problem

When you attempt to create a new user in Django and receive an error stating that the password format is invalid or the hashing algorithm is unknown, it typically points to a few common issues in your implementation:

Improper Password Handling: The password being saved might not be processed correctly.

Unconfigured Password Hashers: The hashing algorithm configured might not be adequate for the given password format.

Serializer Misconfiguration: There might be a mishandling in the serializer used to create the user.

The Solution: Revamping Your User Registration Process

To resolve this error, it’s essential to ensure that your user registration process is correctly implemented. Below is a step-by-step approach to restructuring your user registration logic within Django REST Framework.

Step 1: Update Your Views

You need to create a robust view for user registration while validating the provided phone number and confirming any related OTP (One Time Password). Here’s how the updated Register API might look:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Create a Serializer for User Registration

The serializer is critical for processing incoming data and handling user creation. Here's a revamped user registration serializer that includes support for additional user profile information.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Changes Made:

User Creation: The user is now being created with create_user, which handles password hashing internally, thereby eliminating format issues.

Profile Handling: Integrated profile information for a more robust user experience.

Conclusion

With these changes, you can resolve the Invalid password format or unknown hashing algorithm error effectively. This method not only adheres to best practices for handling user authentication but also provides an extensible framework for incorporating additional user-related data.

By implementing the proposed view and serializer, you should notice a significant improvement in user registration functionality within your Django application. If you have additional questions or run into further issues, feel free to reach out!