When creating software it is always good practice to make it localizable. One important step towards localization is to place user interface strings in a string table, and use resource IDs to access them. For 3ds Max this is especially important when definign parameters. While it is possible to create a functioning parameter block without providing a string ID, doing so will have some undesirable side effects. One of these is that your parameter won't appear correctly in the Track View. Even if you aren't concerned about localization, debugging and refactoring can be a lot easier if your user interface strings are in one place.

The problem for 3ds Max, is that it is a localized application, and it needs all user interface string to be localized. So any tools or features that display parameters will need to use the string ID. So whenever you are developing a plug-in with parameters, take a look at what is being displayed in the Track View, to make sure that you have supplied Max the correct string resource ID.