A coding method, a decoding method, a coder, and a decoder, where the coding method includes obtaining the pulse distribution, on a track, of the pulses to be encoded on the track, determining a distribution identifier for identifying the pulse distribution according to the pulse distribution, and generating a coding index that includes the distribution identifier. The decoding method includes receiving a coding index, obtaining a distribution identifier from the coding index, wherein the distribution identifier is configured to identify the pulse distribution, on a track, of the pulses to be encoded on the track, determining the pulse distribution, on a track, of all the pulses to be encoded on the track according to the distribution identifier, and reconstructing the pulse order on the track according to the pulse distribution.