The difference between a DP (Double Pole) and SP (Single Pole) switches is that a SP switch breaks the live, and in a DP the Live and Neutral.
A single pole switch has one input and output, and has two states; "on" or "off". They can be wired normally open or normally closed, and can also either be latching or momentary.
A double pole switch has two connections to 2 separate circuits, making them essentially 2 switches in one. The connections can either be staggered or connect simultaneously.
Related Glossary Terms