Newbie to all this!

Ok—I have been hosting a website for a while on a virtual server. Basically just edit it then ftp to my virtual server—easy. Now I want to put out a blog site. Can you tell me—do I just create a sql database on my virtual server and then put that name in when loading the WP software and it will find it and automagically create all the tables etc.?? If not I don’t know how to run the dashboard —would I load the software and then navigate to it via my browser and then would I be able to run the dashboard tool? THANKS! I am sorry this is sooo greek to me now!