A method for link time optimization comprises parsing, by a compiler, an intermediate representation file to determine what symbols are present in the intermediate representation file. The method comprises providing the symbols to a linker and creating, by the linker, a symbol use tree of all the symbols that are present in the intermediate representation file and other symbols in binary code received by the linker. The method further comprises discarding, by the linker, any received objects for which no use can be identified and all dependencies of the objects. The method includes providing, from the linker to the compiler, a preserve list of symbols, the preserve list comprising a list of symbols proven used by the objects and the intermediate representation files. The method comprises compiling the intermediate representation files and the objects based on the preserve list of symbols, and deleting, by the linker, any remaining unused objects.