No, it is not necessary to wash pasta before cooking it. In fact, washing pasta can remove the starch on the surface, which helps the sauce adhere to the pasta better. The starch also contributes to the texture and overall taste of the cooked pasta.
When you cook pasta, the boiling water helps to cook and soften the pasta while also washing away any impurities. It's important to use a large pot of boiling, salted water to cook the pasta, and stir it occasionally to prevent sticking.
After the pasta is cooked to the desired doneness (usually al dente), you can drain it in a colander. However, you should not rinse it with water unless you are specifically making a cold pasta salad or planning to use the pasta in a dish where you don't want the strands to stick together, such as a pasta salad.
To maintain the flavor, texture, and ability of the pasta to hold the sauce, it is generally recommended to skip the step of washing the pasta before cooking.