How can PHP beginners effectively troubleshoot issues related to file manipulation functions like file_get_contents and str_replace?

When troubleshooting issues related to file manipulation functions like file_get_contents and str_replace in PHP, beginners should first check if the file paths are correct and if the files have the necessary permissions. They can also use error handling techniques like try-catch blocks to catch and display any errors that may occur during the file manipulation process.

try {
    $file_contents = file_get_contents('example.txt');
    
    if($file_contents !== false) {
        $new_content = str_replace('old', 'new', $file_contents);
        
        file_put_contents('example.txt', $new_content);
        
        echo 'File manipulation successful.';
    } else {
        echo 'Error reading file.';
    }
} catch (Exception $e) {
    echo 'Error: ' . $e->getMessage();
}