It initially made sense because MAP, RPM IPW etc., no matter what platform/year would automatically be "linked" to the generic sensor so you didn't need to have multiple Charts and Graphs. In 2.24 as well as 3.X it really was for the WB and Commanded EQ/AFR to work with the internally calculated error so we didn't have to develop User Defined equations.
Now I will be a bit more careful in my answers like you said and go back to my library and see what else may be lurking in the unknown.....
Ed M