GlideRecord insert. Is .initialize() necessary?

Hi Everyone,

I've just been curious.

Wiki says this is a correct way to insert a record in a table using GlideRecord:

http://wiki.servicenow.com/index.php?title=GlideRecord#Insert_Methods

var gr = new GlideRecord('to_do');
gr.initialize(); 
gr.name = 'first to do item'; 
gr.description = 'learn about GlideRecord'; 
gr.insert();

But what actually gr.initialize() does?

What happens if I skip it? Will the record be created differently or simply slower?

On practice I don't see any difference, record is created properly.

Will appreciate your comments!

Thanks!