This is probably a dumb question but I'd appreciate your help ....

How does one get data into the database in the first place - ie know which tables etc. a typical module populates - Does the module typically create these new tables itself upon install?  How does a typical module such as "Reports" say, get data in there in the first place? (Ie. before you start retrieving data with SQL commands etc.).  If I look at the import option (again for example with Reports) - it doesn't tell me what format to import - yet I can't seem to find this info in any Reports documention,

Thanks