Discrete vs. Continuous

What is the difference between continuous-speech-recognition and discrete-speech-recognition?

Dragon NaturallySpeaking uses continuous-speech, or natural speech. This eliminates the need to insert a pause between words. Continuous speech lets you speak to your computer at a conversational pace. For example:

"Speak at the same pace as most of your conversations, and your spoken words are transcribed immediately onto your computer screen."

DragonDictate for Windows uses discrete-speech which requires you to pause briefly between every word. For example:

"Discrete... recognition... applications... have... been... available... for... the... general... public... for... many... years."

Click here to hear a sample of discrete speech.