compilers

how do compilers work ?
i mean when you have say c or c++ code or lisp program, how does it turn it into machine code ?
isnt it too complicated and take a lot of machine code ?
or like scheme tail loop, how is it done . its hard to convert just one loop
or like c++ classes theres no clases in machine assmebly
i dont understand

thanks

>>19
WELL, MOTHERFUCKER, THE WHOLE FUCKING CHAPTER 5.5 IS ABOUT COMPILATION. IF YOU DIDN'T NOTICE IT WHILE READING, I DON'T THINK THAT ANYTHING IN THE WORLD CAN EXPLAIN COMPILATION TO YOU.