a DSG or a 'normal' automatic? 

 

Surely they're both the same except the DSG has 2 clutches, 2 sets of gears, same operation other than that.

 

 

A normal automatic uses a torque convertor - there is no clutch to disengage and there is always some torque trying to turn the gears. So no, not the same. A DSG still has to depress the clutch when the car is stationary, otherwise it would stall.

I had a 'normal auto' hire car once that had something badly wrong and rolled backwards when in drive and trying to pull off on a slope.  I forget what car it was but remember it was very unpleasant.  Iirc it didn't have a normal handbrake either, just one of those pedal engaged parking brakes.  Think I ended up just revving harder until the roll stopped and I went forward again.