• KASKADE 3.0 was developed for the solution of partial differential equations in one, two, or three space dimensions. Its object-oriented implementation concept is based on the programming language C++$\,$.~Adaptive finite element techniques are employed to provide solution procedures of optimal computational complexity. This implies a posteriori error estimation, local mesh refinement and multilevel preconditioning. The program was designed both as a platform for further developments of adaptive multilevel codes and as a tool to tackle practical problems. Up to now we have implemented scalar problem types like stationary or transient heat conduction. The latter one is solved with the Rothe method, enabling adaptivity both in space and time. Some nonlinear phenomena like obstacle problems or two-phase Stefan problems are incorporated as well. Extensions to vector-valued functions and complex arithmetic are provided. %Such free boundary problems ... We have implemented several iterative solvers for both symmetric and unsymmetric systems together with multiplicative and additive multilevel preconditioners. Systems arising from the nonlinear problems can be solved with lately developed monotone multigrid methods. %An object-oriented concept was chosen for KASKADE~3.0, based on the programming %language C++$\,$. This should provide the desired extensibilty and clearly %reflect the structure of the code. %A direct sparse matrix solver (Harwell MA28) is included.