While normally just using a "do" would be correct, in this case since we are talking about a BLOB, using bind with a datatype is safer. By that I mean, when you execute a "do" with bind parameters inline, you are leaving it up the the DBI interface to figure out the datatype. Sometime it will get it right, but there is no guarentee. By using a "bind_param" call with a datatype you are giving the DBI a strong hint as to how to handle the data. To quote again from the Perl DBI book( pg. 154):

Passing SQL_BLOB as the optional TYPE parameter to bind_param() gives the driver a strong hint that you're binding to a LONG/LOB type. Some drivers don't need the hint but it's always a good idea to include it.

I keep quoting this book since the authors are Alligator Descartes and Tim Bunce, both of whom have been heavily involved in the design of the DBI interface. I tend to believe what they say about how to use the interface.

Your second point about undef-ing $/ and passing in <TEXT> I will concede. On examples I tend to be more verbose since it makes debugging easier since you can easily look at the value of a varible. Looking at a filehandle is distinctly harder. :-)