Most of the languages that have caught the public's imagination support and don't actively discourage developers writing really horrible code but then provide the facilities for people to use as they get better. Python, Ruby, PHP (especially), VB, JavaScript and C++ all come to mind in this regard.
I'd contrast this with languages that enforce a certain style or paradigm in an effort to improve reliability: Erlang, Haskell, Prolog, F#, Smalltalk (to a point). All fine languages but none have quite caught the imagination of the mass of developers.
I'd contrast this with languages that enforce a certain style or paradigm in an effort to improve reliability: Erlang, Haskell, Prolog, F#, Smalltalk (to a point). All fine languages but none have quite caught the imagination of the mass of developers.