java - Stuck in Hangman Game -

i learning java programming , required make basic hangman game, no graphic interface, main , fewer methods possible.

so here thing :

i did method allows me choose between different topics, each topic 5 words or group of words on it, , randomly chooses 1 of them , assigns string variable "word", 1 i'll working with.

then there method creates string "hiddenword", replacing characters ' * ' , keeps spaces between words.

the problem dont know how input char "letter" and, replace letter in hidden word, resolving hidden word step step.

i provide code, in spanish i'll translate of key words (did noticed awesome english skills uh?)

hideword method ( no probs here, think , maybe spacing between words should done in other way) :

public string hideword(string word) {     string hiddenword ="";     for(int i=0;i<word.length();i++)     {         if(word.charat(i)==' ')         {             hiddenword+=' ';         }         else         {             hiddenword+='*';         }     }     return hiddenword; } 

i've deleted uninteresting , easy parts main method knowingly.

main () {      ahorcado objeto=new ahorcado();      //example word, since full code long      string word = "hello world";     int life;       string hiddenword=objeto.hideword(word);      system.out.println("game started\n");      system.out.println(palabraoculta); //hello world -> ***** *****      char letter;      boolean resolved=false;          {          system.out.println("input letter");         letter=objeto.teclado.next().charat(0);          //intentionally left blank because every try did weird pyramid thing or crash         for(int i=0;i<word.length();i++)         {             if(letter==word.charat(i))             {             }         }         if(hiddenword.equals(word))         {             resolved=true;         }         objeto.life--;     }     while(objeto.vidas>=0&&resolved==false); } 

well, that's it, sorry horrible grammar , poor java, provide more parts of code if needed.

what should once have found letter in word, replace * character in index found letter in original word :

 for(int i=0;i<word.length();i++)  {      if(letter==word.charat(i))      {          char[] wordcharsarray = hiddenword.tochararray();          wordcharsarray[i] = letter;          hiddenword= string.valueof(wordcharsarray);      }  } 

i not sure there might more efficient way replace character in string should work you.