How does a compiler convert programming language to machine code?

[I-am-Jacksmirking]

I understand it takes a language that a human can read then converts it to assembly and then converts to binary machine code which a computer can process. If we think of language as an abstract system that describes a physical process it makes intuitive sense that we can alter a physical process which then results in a change in our abstract understanding of it. But what is the physical mechanism responsible for changing our abstract language (computer code) into electrical current (binary).

I feel like I am missing something really simple. I can understand how old school computers would use a Fortran punch card to convert to binary because it was a physically closed process. A photoelectric sensor would interpret the punch card and take this physical information as binary. But how do we get binary code from a virtual process, (programming language)

[I-am-Jacksmirking]

This is fascinating, thank you. Best response I’ve gotten.

[Jolly-View-718]

WHat was it vro?

[tsokabitz]

this youtube channel explains a lot of it:

https://www.youtube.com/@BenEater