code: public static String padTo(final String s, final int pad,
              final char padChar) {
          String result = s;
          int l = s.length();
          if (l < pad) {
              StringBuffer sb = new StringBuffer(pad);
              while(l < pad) {
                  sb.append(padChar);
                  l++;
              }
              sb.append(s);
              result = sb.toString();
          }
          return result;
      }
docs: Pad the given <code>String</code> to <code>pad</code> characters wide
  by pre-pending <code>padChar</code>.
  
  <code>s</code> should not be <code>null</code>. If <code>s</code> is
  already wider than <code>pad</code> no change is done.
  
  @param s the String to pad
  @param pad the width to pad to.
  @param padChar The pad character to use.
  @return String w/ padding.