Query with ROWNUM returns differents rows on every execution

I have a query that is used to search for a list of sub divisions in our network. When the query is executed without any filter, it returns a different amount of rows on every execution

SELECT DISTINCT 
    t1.ZRESUBDIV,
    t1.SUBDIV_NAME
FROM M_STAGE_WP_PFUNCT_LOC t1
WHERE ROWNUM <= 200  -- normally a filter goes here
ORDER BY t1.SUBDIV_NAME

Execution 1

ZRESUBDIV SUBDIV_NAME
------------ ------------------------------------------------------------
262 ALEXANDRIA
400 ALLANWATER
671 ASHCROFT
372 BALA
277 BEACHBURG
200 BRIDGE
374 CARAMAT
543 CENTRAL BUTTE
208 CHAPAIS
324 CHATHAM
340 CHICAGO
...

Execution 2

ZRESUBDIV SUBDIV_NAME
------------ ------------------------------------------------------------
670 ALBREDA
262 ALEXANDRIA
400 ALLANWATER
671 ASHCROFT
372 BALA
277 BEACHBURG
604 BLACKFOOT

ROWNUM is evaluated before ORDER BY, that is not how ROWNUM should be used. To use ROWNUM properly, use a query like this:

SELECT * FROM 
(
  SELECT DISTINCT 
      t1.ZRESUBDIV,
      t1.SUBDIV_NAME
  FROM M_STAGE_WP_PFUNCT_LOC t1
  ORDER BY t1.SUBDIV_NAME
)
WHERE ROWNUM <= 200;

But this is old. Since you are on 12c, use this:

SELECT DISTINCT 
    t1.ZRESUBDIV,
    t1.SUBDIV_NAME
FROM M_STAGE_WP_PFUNCT_LOC t1
ORDER BY t1.SUBDIV_NAME
FETCH FIRST 200 ROWS ONLY;

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#149796, answer score: 10