Get cursor position (in characters) within a text Input field

Question

How can I get the caret position from within an input field?

I have found a few bits and pieces via Google, but nothing bullet proof.

Basically something lik

Answer 1

   (function($) {
    $.fn.getCursorPosition = function() {
        var input = this.get(0);
        if (!input) return; // No (input) element found
        if (document.selection) {
            // IE
           input.focus();
        }
        return 'selectionStart' in input ? input.selectionStart:'' || Math.abs(document.selection.createRange().moveStart('character', -input.value.length));
     }
   })(jQuery);