Django model method for saving values

Question

I'm wondering is it a good practice to have methods in Django model just for setting and saving values? For example I have a model:

class Team(models.Model):
    name = models.CharField(max_length=50)

    def set_name(self, name):
        self.name = name
        self.save()

I can set name outside of model like this:

team.name = name
team.save()

Or I can use set_name method:

team.set_name(name)

In my understanding it is better to use set_name method, because it is loosely coupled. For example if I'll change name of the name field I won't need to update all references to this field in my codebase.

Answer 1

IMO it's better to call save outside a method on the model because often you'll be calling save with more than one field changed. So if you were changing name and date_last_active, you wouldn't be using your set_name method.

Django generally doesn't call save on the model methods for this reason. User.set_password() is an example of this.

And, as others will say undoubtedly, use save(update_fields=['field_a', 'field_b']) for efficiency.