> LLVM IR is a lot easier to generate than machine code and unlike machine code, it can be optimized after it is generated.
Just a small nit: it's possible to optimize machine code. In fact, LLVM has some peephole optimization passes on the MachineInstr level, and hooks to add others. LLVM IR is, however, much more amenable to optimization, since it's higher-level, contains type information and was generally designed to be optimizable (i.e. SSA form).
Just a small nit: it's possible to optimize machine code. In fact, LLVM has some peephole optimization passes on the MachineInstr level, and hooks to add others. LLVM IR is, however, much more amenable to optimization, since it's higher-level, contains type information and was generally designed to be optimizable (i.e. SSA form).