do a little research before you ask so many simple questions, most tubular lights, such as CFL, MH, HID, HPS, require a higher level of voltage and current to ignite and excite the gases (simple HS physics). the ballast increases the energy necessary to make these bulbs work.
Yes they are necessary, and YES that is why even the bulbs from HD have a clear label stating, THIS BULB REQUIRES AN ANSI ...... ballast.
if you want cheap, get some CFL's, they work but take longer.
What is the ballast's function?
A ballast serves to start a fluorescent or HID bulb by causing an arc to form inside the bulb. Once the bulb is lit, the current flowing through the bulb must be regulated to keep the arc operating at peak efficiency.
rant done\