Answer to udpated question:

When used as a file handle:

• Pro: Lexicals can't be localized (but they can be block scoped).
• Con: Typeglobs can't be blocked scoped (but they can be localized).
• Pro: open LEXICAL, ... requires 5.6 or greater.
• Con: The name isn't checked at run-time, so typos are harder to find. However, you will get a compile-time warning if the typo isn't repeated or pasted. For example,
  perl -Mstrict -w -e "my $fh = *STDOOUT; print $fh 'moo'"
  

When used as a tied file handle:

• I think you have no choice but to use a typeglob if you want a tied file handle.

When used to alias function:

• There's no other way without using eval EXPR.

When used to alias other things:

• There's no other way.

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