TTP is used to represent the capabilities of a predefined data path to the controller in a bottom-to-top approach, while P4/POF is used to define the behavior of the switch's data path, which can be compiled to a loadable form to alter the data path of a programmable switch in a top-to-bottom approach.

Data path configuration is represented by both languages but from diverse perspectives. It should be noted that at runtime, a controller should not detect any difference between a fixed-function platform conforming to a specific TTP and a programmable platform configured by a P4 program to provide the same behavior.

The following diagram represents the difference between TTP and OF-PI: