function reset_text_input_target(padding) {

        var padding_char = String.fromCharCode(GuacUI.Client.TEXT_INPUT_PADDING_CODEPOINT);

        // Pad text area with an arbitrary, non-typable character (so there is something
        // to delete with backspace or del), and position cursor in middle.
        GuacUI.Client.text_input.target.value = new Array(padding*2 + 1).join(padding_char);
        GuacUI.Client.text_input.target.setSelectionRange(padding-1, padding);
    }
Removes all content from the text input target, replacing it with the
given number of padding characters. Padding of the requested size is
added on both sides of the cursor, thus the overall number of characters
added will be twice the number specified.

@param {Number} padding The number of characters to pad the text area
                        with.