What is the difference between abstract base classes and interfaces in Django?

Abstract Base Classes vs Interfaces in Django

In Django, Abstract Base Classes and Interfaces are used to define common behaviors that can be inherited by other classes. Here is a brief explanation of the differences between the two:

Abstract Base Classes:

• Abstract Base Classes in Django are used to define a common set of methods and fields that can be inherited by multiple models.
• Subclasses of an Abstract Base Class can access the methods and fields defined in the base class, allowing for code reuse and consistency.
• An Abstract Base Class cannot be instantiated on its own and must be subclassed to create concrete models.

Interfaces:

• Interfaces in Django are used to define a contract that specifies the methods that a class must implement.
• A class that implements an interface must provide definitions for all the methods specified in the interface.
• Interfaces in Django are not natively supported, but they can be simulated using Abstract Base Classes and custom validation mechanisms.

Overall, Abstract Base Classes are used to provide a common set of methods and fields that can be inherited by subclasses, while Interfaces are used to define a contract that specifies the methods that a class must implement. Both Abstract Base Classes and Interfaces are useful tools for promoting code reuse and maintaining consistency in Django applications.