need help using arrays ( simple hangman game)

heeey guys I need your help to create a code. I totally forget how to use arrays
and I need to use two arrays for a hangman game one holds the characters of the secret word
and the other one holds the characters of the current status.

for example : if the secret word is " book"
and the user guessed "o" "this is the 1st try"
the output should look like this "-oo-"

however when the user guess another letter let's say G "2nd try"
the output should still be "-oo-"

also, the user have only 8 tries

anyone can help me

that what I got so far
and I know it's not right at all :(

Code:

---

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
        char word[] = {'b','o','k'};

        char j;
        int i;
       
       
        for(i=1; i<=8; i++)       
        {
                printf("Guess a letter: ");
                scanf("%c", &j);
                if(j == 'b')
                        printf("b---");
                else if(j == 'o')
                        printf("-oo-");
                else if(j == 'k')
                        printf("---k");
                else
                        printf("Guess again");
                }

        return(0);
}

---

Code:

---

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

int main()
{
  char word[] = {"book"};
  char gotIt[40] =  { ' ' };        //spaces
  char j;
  int guess, i, len;

  for(guess = 0; guess < 8; guess++)  {
      printf("\nGuess a letter: ");
      scanf(" %c", &j);
      len = strlen(word);
      gotIt[len] = '\0';

      for(i=0; i<len; i++)       
      {
          if(j == word[i] && j != gotit[i])  {
              gotIt[i] = word[i];
              printf("%s", gotIt);
              if((strcmp(word, gotIt) == 0)       
                printf("You have won! Congratulations ");
          }
          else
              printf("Guess again, there are no %c's \n", j);
  }

      printf("\n\n\t\t      Press enter when ready");
      getchar();  //holds the console window open
      return(0);
}

---

I haven't compiled the above, but it should give you a starting point


For an upgraded version, I suggest:

1) Download a small file of common words, from the net (Google "word list").

2) Use a random number to choose the special word for each game, from that list.

3) You need a text figure of a guy appearing more and more complete, with every
failed guess. After 8 (or so) guesses, if all the letters have not been correctly guessed, his last body part appears and he gets hanged.

That's the fun of hangman, right there. Otherwise, it's like "Wheel of Fortune" - boring.

WOW

thanks a lot but u take it so far. all I need for this program is to work with only on secret word without any string.
as basic as possible
and I need the program to display a congratulatory message along with the number of guesses the user took " when the user discovers the secret word by the 8th guess. "
otherwise displaying a consolation message and end the game.


thanks again and I really appreciate your help.