No what they are referring to is a"code" book of the esoteric work not the laws. The laws are readily available from the Grand Lodge. The code book is entirely different.
This is like the words "hoggie" and "submarine sandwich". They mean something that's interchangeable but they don't mean "hot dog". If someone asks for a hoggie or submarine and you hand them a hot dog they will likely think you didn't hear correctly. Try explaining that's what they are called here and you'll be thought quaintly provincial.
Plenty of jurisdictions have a code book or law book. They mean something that's interchangeable but they don't mean cipher, cypher or book of standard work. Variations from jurisdiction to jurisdiction are fun to experience.
Just look at the quality of some of the appendent bodies where plain English is available.
One of my two jurisdictions for example.
As an aid to memory it is one thing, but we have hard evidence the quality suffers with anything written.
Actually, no you don't have hard evidence for it unless you have traveled to states that have them and it appears you have not. I've seen good and bad ritual in at least one cipher state. I've seen good and bad ritual in at least one written out state. I've seen good and bad ritual in at least one mouth to ear state. And I've seen good and bad ritual at Scottish Rite as well.
The difference is the activity level of the lodge and the dedication level of the brothers not the presence or absence of the book.