For string manipulation problems, mastering techniques like sliding windows, two-pointer methods, and efficient string searching algorithms like KMP is essential. Practice basic problems on these topics to build a solid foundation.

String manipulation is one of the core aspects of competitive programming. These problems usually involve tasks like reversing strings, finding substrings, or performing specific operations on strings. The first step is to understand the problem statement clearly and identify patterns. Common approaches include brute force methods, but they often fail for larger inputs. Instead, focus on using algorithms like the Knuth-Morris-Pratt (KMP) algorithm for pattern matching or the Boyer-Moore algorithm for efficient searching. Sliding windows and two-pointer techniques can be extremely effective for problems involving substrings, as they allow you to reduce time complexity. Regular practice with problems like 'Longest Substring Without Repeating Characters' or 'Palindromic Substrings' will improve your skills. Keep an eye on constraints to avoid performance bottlenecks, and learn how to optimize your solutions for large inputs using dynamic programming or bit manipulation if needed.