Sort key too long error depends on values supplied to query

Question

Please have a look at this query (Just given for guessing complications).
This query works and gives output for pro_id=1 and other few values.
But it fails for value 2.
SELECT *
FROM common_list_view_test
WHERE che_id != 14
AND(use_id = 299 OR iss_rec = 299 OR che_id IN
  (SELECT a.m_che_id
   FROM m_chk_pt a,    m_role_chk_pt b,    m_user c
   WHERE a.m_che_id = b.m_che_id
   AND b.m_rol_id = c.m_rol_id
   AND c.m_use_id = 299))
AND pro_id = 2
ORDER BY iss_dat,
  issue_stringFor pro_id = 2 it gives error:
ORA-01467: sort key too long
What do we mean by sort key?
Is it depends on supplied information and the records to be fetched.
If the query is going to fetch a lot of records then do this error occur?
How to avoid this error and make the query to work got pro_id=2.
-Sameer

Answer 1

It is also not working for:
SELECT COUNT(*)
FROM common_list_view_test
WHERE pro_id = 2Please tell me what i have to do?
I can't rewrite common_list_view_test as i do not have enough priviledged to change its code, but this view is a lot complicated.
But then why it works for one value and not for another one?
Please help.
-Sameer