In a general partnership, all partners are equal in profit and in liability. For example, if a company earns a lot then the profits are shared equally regardless of their contribution, and if a company makes a mistake, all partners equally are liable in front of the court of law and have to pay the claims together or anything similar.
In a limited partnership, it is known who contributes to what and how liabilities would be regulated. For example, if a company fails and has to pay a lot of money, only the person who made the error is liable in court and the other partners are protected from parties that would seek payment or punishment since they had limited partnership.