The is one of a set of PRs for KIP-891. The list of total PRs given below all build one the previous one in the list. They can be reviewed individually, or if the complete set of changes is preferrable, please refer to the last PR.

This is PR#1 and contains changes to connects plugin loading package. It contains the set of changes to load versioned plugins based on maven versioning as described in the KIP and exposes a set of public methods for use in the other components of this KIP.

1. [WIP] KIP-891: Connect Multiversion Support (Base PR with Plugin Loading Isolation Changes) #16984 - Plugins Loading Isolation Changes
2. [WIP] KIP-891: Connect Multiversioning Support (Configs and Validation changes for Connectors and Converters) #17741 - Versioned Configs and Validation for Connector and Converters
3. [WIP] KIP-891: Connect Multiversion Support (Transformation and Predicate Changes) #17742 - Transformation and Predicate Support
4. [WIP] KIP-891: Connect Multiversion Support (Versioned Connector Creation and related changes) #17743 - Versioned Connector Creation

Additional PRs for changes to status endpoint showing currently running version and JMX metrics are underway and need not block any feedback for the existing PRs. Some manual testing has been done and extensive tests will soon be added.

Committer Checklist (excluded from commit message)

• Verify design and implementation
• Verify test coverage and CI build status
• Verify documentation (including upgrade notes)