Python needs a framework, so does Java (for the web). I don’t know much about Ruby or Coldfusion. But is there another language out there for the web that can stand alone as it is without a need for a framework or without strict adherence to a design pattern (MVC and the likes) aside from PHP? BTW, the statement that Python and Java needs a framework to work with the web came purely from my readings on articles and books; I might be mistaken.
EDIT : by frameworks I mean those like Django, Pylon, Spring, JSF, RoR etc
I don’t think any of those languages “need” a framework. My understanding is that as long as the webserver has a way to talk to the language interpreter you are in business. Hence all the apache modules for the various languages. The framework is just to make common web development tasks (like accessing a database) easier.
You could just as easily write without a framework in any language you can connect with a webserver.