Comment by kelnos

Right, but I think the GP is saying that, with checked exceptions, the 'throws' list is part of that function's API. Changing the 'throws' list is exactly like changing the arguments to or return type of the function.

It's not so much a "pitfall" as it is an intended part of the deal.

It just turns out that many people hated it, so most of the time functions omit the 'throws' list and throw unchecked subclasses of RuntimeException. Which also has its trade offs! (Or "pitfalls", if you want to use the same term.)