What is the need to have IR equipment codes for the Pronto? Is this a substitute for having the Pronto learn from the equipment remote or is there another reason?

Seems to me that if one can make the Pronto learn from the equipment remote, one may not want IR codes that may or may not have the functions that one wants. One may still have to customize the Pronto. As I stated above, I do not know the function of the IR codes, besides perhaps saving some time.

I welcome your opinions.