What is Moodle Reset Function?

What does the Reset function in the Administration menu do?

From Mary Parke, Instructional Designer, De Anza College:

“The reset function allows you to remove all user data from a course and reset it’s start date each term – to “refresh it” one might say (content stays and makes it ready for new users). In 1.6.x it allowed you to choose which data to delete from discussion forums. So, it doesn’t surprise me that it defaulted in 1.8 to resetting roles of the instructor. What I would do is reset the course and then manually reset the instructor’s role."

See also:

• http://docs.moodle.org/en/Reset_course

Note: Use with caution. One of the Alpha test instructors clicked it and her role was switched from teacher to student.