VIM search for characters starting with ampersand -

i have search &variable (and replace &variable.test). \&variable, vim shows me characters starting &variable (&variablexxx instance), not want. thought - /\<\&variable\> work, please let me know going wrong.

the first problem \& not literal & special regex match matches branches in vim. match literal & use &.

the second problem \< matches beginning of keyword looking see if next character keyword. & not keyword fails.

to around can make & keyword doing

set iskeyword+=& 

then can use regex \<&variable\> match things want.

relevant pages :h iskeyword, :h /\< , :h \&