The various aspects provide a dynamic compilation framework that includes a machine-independent optimization module operating on a computing device and methods for optimizing code with the machine-independent optimization module using a single, combined-forwards-backwards pass of the code. In the various aspects, the machine-independent optimization module may generate a graph of nodes from the IR, optimize nodes in the graph using forwards and backwards optimizations, and propagating the forwards and backwards optimizations to nodes in a bounded subgraph recognized or defined based on the position of the node currently being optimized. In the various aspects, the machine-independent optimization module may optimize the graph by performing forwards and/or backwards optimizations during a single pass through the graph, thereby achieving an effective degree of optimization and shorter overall compile times. Thus, the various aspects may provide a global optimization framework for dynamic compilers that is faster and more efficient than existing solutions.