The correct method for upgrading ODI repositories is by using the Upgrade Assistant. This tool is specifically designed to help with the upgrade process of Oracle components, including ODI repositories, ensuring a smooth transition from older versions to newer ones.
To address the requirement of translating commands with different syntax but the same functionality across different technologies in ODI, the feature you need is the capability to define user functions for every technology listed in the topology. This means you can create a function once and map it to the specific syntax required by various target technologies, ensuring consistent functionality regardless of the underlying technology.