Theory makes sense to me, similar to boiling spuds, i.e. whole individual piece heats up gradually as the water warms, rather than the extremities being totally cooked while the centre is still cool (as it would be if tossed into boiling water).

I haven't cooked Pasta in boiling water for years now. I use a Microwave Rice Cooker cover the pasta with cold water (that also  includes frozen filled Pasta like  Agnollini) put it into the Microwave on high for 14 minutes and have pasta a-la- dente every time easy as cooking rice in the microwave too

I do the same Viv;  but I use boiling water and then into the micro.  Cook for about 12 mins I think from memory..but I will give the cold water a go.

Abby put up a post a while back and that worked a treat as well...how to cook rice.