Common pitfalls include misunderstanding problem constraints, not optimizing for time or space complexity, and making off-by-one errors. Always carefully read the problem statement and test your code thoroughly.

In competitive programming, there are several pitfalls that can trip up even experienced coders. One of the most common mistakes is misreading the problem constraints or requirements. It's essential to fully understand the input size, time limits, and edge cases before starting to code. A related issue is not optimizing your solution for time and space complexity, leading to time-limit exceeded (TLE) errors. For example, using an O(n^2) solution on a problem where n can be as large as 10^5 is likely to be too slow. Another frequent issue is off-by-one errors, especially in loops and array indexing. This can happen when you're not careful with boundary conditions, such as including or excluding the last element in an iteration. In problems involving floating-point arithmetic, precision errors can also occur, so it's important to use the right data types and rounding techniques when necessary. Additionally, failing to test your code on edge cases or large inputs can lead to unexpected failures during the contest. A good habit is to write test cases for boundary conditions, like an empty array or maximum input size, to ensure your solution handles all scenarios correctly. By being mindful of these pitfalls, you'll increase your chances of writing robust and efficient code.