[fpc-pascal] Difference between Associative array and Hashlist?

[noreply at z505.com]

Since FPC has no associative array I was thinking that the closest is 
TStringList with name/value pairs.

Then there is a hashlist in contnrs.

Maybe an associative array means you don't have to implement it using 
hashes in order for it to work?

If there is a need for one I might write one as the TStringList is a bit 
slow, but do they already exist elsewhere before undertaking it...