Intermediate Representation

Definitions

1. A data structure used internally by a compiler between the frontend (parsing) and backend (code generation) phases. Enables optimization passes that are independent of both the source language and target architecture. LLVM IR is the most influential — it allows many languages (Rust, Swift, Clang) to share the same optimization and codegen infrastructure.

   In plain English: A middle-ground code format that compilers use internally, sitting between your source code and the final machine code.

   Example: "Rust, C, and Swift all compile to LLVM IR — they share the same optimizer and can target any architecture LLVM supports."

Related Terms

• Assembler
• Autofree
• BuckleScript
• C Backend
• Abstract Syntax Tree
• Lexer
• Parser
• Profile Guided Optimization